PRO TIPS
MAGIC CIRCLE
If you’re not sure of how many sharps or flats each key has, you can use the circle of fifths to help you find the key of your song. Just count the number of sharp or flat notes your melody has and compare this with the inner ring of the circle – each key has a set number of sharps or flats in it, and this is displayed on the circle. Though not a 100% accurate way of finding the key, this method will definitely point you in the right direction in most cases.
RELATIVELY MINOR
This technique is also a great way to approach remixing a song. If you find the original key that the melody is in, you can switch the key to its relative major or minor key to find chords that will completely alter the vibe of the song. For example, the relative minor to C major is A minor, so if you use chords from the key of A minor beneath the existing melody, you hold the power to change a happy tune to a darker, more moody one.