How strict is the rule to stay in key?

[wandererspath]

I find myself doing this often because it sounds good to me. I'll end up with some strange key that has 8 notes or 7 that don't belong to any known key. I've heard I could do what I want to as long as it does sound good. So my question is, how strict is this rule?

[jupiter8]

If you do God kills a kitten.

[Jay Sherman]

I find myself doing this often because it sounds good to me. I'll end up with some strange key that has 8 notes or 7 that don't belong to any known key. I've heard I could do what I want to as long as it does sound good. So my question is, how strict is this rule?

So lets hear it then.

You aren't just changing key?

[jancivil]

Who enforces the rule(s)?

[wandererspath]

I'm doing some room rearranging. As soon as I get done I'll render an mp3 from my keyboard.

[forw]

I've heard I could do what I want to as long as it does sound good

what could be more import than that?

don't bother the theory police

[Kim Lajoie]

I find myself doing this often because it sounds good to me. I'll end up with some strange key that has 8 notes or 7 that don't belong to any known key.

Which notes are you using? You're probably using a mode, rather than a regular scale (someone knowledgable please correct me!).

I've heard I could do what I want to as long as it does sound good. So my question is, how strict is this rule?

The rule is as strict as you want it to be.

-Kim.

[t00nz]

there will be some chord or scale theory to cover whatever you're doing.. don't worry about it.. just make it sound nice.

[KLS]

Who enforces the rule(s)?

Good question!! I vote 'YES' to changing key, it keeps things interesting. If you end up with 8 notes instead of 7, then you might be playing an octatonic scale - it has 8 notes. Stravinsky used it in "The Rite of Spring". But I think the most important thing is "If it sounds good, do it"!!!

- Ken

[tomg]

Wait a second ... There are rules?

I think all musical rules are made to be broken. I used to make an exception for the "Must sound good" rule.. but I've begun to think.. not necessarily and for that matter in who's opinion.

[KLS]

Wait a second ... There are rules?

I think all musical rules are made to be broken. I used to make an exception for the "Must sound good" rule.. but I've begun to think.. not necessarily and for that matter in who's opinion.

...... I wish to ammend my post ......

"If it sounds the way you want it to, then do it!!! Ugly and dirty is OK!!

[cheameup]

Theory is just words that describes what your doing.Its a great way to communicate with other musicians . It doesnt tell you what you can and can't do


And give us an expamle of a scale your using. I gaurantee it has a name .

Sorry but every combination has been thought of by everyone before us

[Reverse Engineer]

i smack my face on my atari

[wandererspath]

Well, I'm convinced. I'll keep working on it. I'll leave the key how it is. Thanks folks!

[Uncle E]

I think all musical rules are made to be broken.

The more you understand music theory and harmony, the more you realize that nearly every rule has another rule that negates it, till it becomes clear that there have never been any strict rules to begin with. That said, the more harmonically challenging and experimental music of the world is generally done by people with intense theoretical understandings of harmony.