One of the major payoffs is being able to play with other people and also being able to write and compose your own music. For the beginning improviser, the question of what key to solo in comes up a lot. This was something I had to figure that I didn't find in any improvisation book I read when learning how to play by ear on my own. This article should demystify this commonly asked question.
When learning piano improvisation for soloing, it is important to figure out the keys that should be used when it comes to coming up with the melody of the music that is being written. Since each of the keys has natural notes, this makes it easier. A good example would be to take a keen look on the C major scale. Its major notes include C, D, E, F, G, A and B. They can also be termed as I, II, III, IV, V, VI and VII. Major triads can be built from A, C, E, D, G or F notes. Minor triads can be built as well.
The capital roman numerals represent major keys and the lower case numerals represent minor keys, which means if you build a triad from C, F or G, you will come up with a major chord. The C triad consists of C, E, G. The F triad consists of F, A, C and the G consists of G, B and D. Keep in mind we are using the natural notes in C to build these chords. The other ones (namely D, E and A) form minor triads. The reason why I went to lengths in explaining this is because people often ask if they need to change keys when soloing through different chord changes.
Most of the time, the first cord to be used in a chord pattern is known as the dominant key. It is possible to use this key as a solo. The secret behind this understanding that each and every chord has its own natural occurring chords that can be used without having to change to other different keys. Taking an example of the changing chord pattern between C, G, A and F, one notices the four different chords present however a solo can be used with the C scale. The secret lies behind using any of the minor chords that range from C, D, E, f, G and A. This way, you can continue to solo in C.
However if you play a chord that is not found naturally in the key of C i.e., D major (F# is not a note found in the C scale naturally) then you would have to change keys when soloing for the duration of time you are using that foreign chord.
With practice you will be able to develop a better ear for this and you will hear the difference and recognize that something doesn't sound right when you are soloing out of key, but for now, use this as a guide. Keep practicing the piano!
When learning piano improvisation for soloing, it is important to figure out the keys that should be used when it comes to coming up with the melody of the music that is being written. Since each of the keys has natural notes, this makes it easier. A good example would be to take a keen look on the C major scale. Its major notes include C, D, E, F, G, A and B. They can also be termed as I, II, III, IV, V, VI and VII. Major triads can be built from A, C, E, D, G or F notes. Minor triads can be built as well.
The capital roman numerals represent major keys and the lower case numerals represent minor keys, which means if you build a triad from C, F or G, you will come up with a major chord. The C triad consists of C, E, G. The F triad consists of F, A, C and the G consists of G, B and D. Keep in mind we are using the natural notes in C to build these chords. The other ones (namely D, E and A) form minor triads. The reason why I went to lengths in explaining this is because people often ask if they need to change keys when soloing through different chord changes.
Most of the time, the first cord to be used in a chord pattern is known as the dominant key. It is possible to use this key as a solo. The secret behind this understanding that each and every chord has its own natural occurring chords that can be used without having to change to other different keys. Taking an example of the changing chord pattern between C, G, A and F, one notices the four different chords present however a solo can be used with the C scale. The secret lies behind using any of the minor chords that range from C, D, E, f, G and A. This way, you can continue to solo in C.
However if you play a chord that is not found naturally in the key of C i.e., D major (F# is not a note found in the C scale naturally) then you would have to change keys when soloing for the duration of time you are using that foreign chord.
With practice you will be able to develop a better ear for this and you will hear the difference and recognize that something doesn't sound right when you are soloing out of key, but for now, use this as a guide. Keep practicing the piano!
About the Author:
The author is a well known piano instructor from Southern California. His music school in Tustin gives guitar lessons in Orange County and education for other instruments as well. You can also find his articles on his Twitter page.
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