Picking the correct key

[maxym.srpl]

I’ve noticed that some music is written in C major, others in A♯/B♭ major, D major, E major, etc. What factors influence an artist’s or composer’s choice of key?

Even watching videos of known producers, they change a key from song to song.

let’s stick to electronic instrumental music, to avoid a singer vocal range issues.

with regards

[Jamface]

I often hear ideas in my head first. So the key gets decided at that point, mostly. At other times, I’m just improvising at the piano. Something will catch my ear… and there’s the key.

[zerocrossing]

The key initially becomes whatever pops out of my head, though sometimes I'll change it to accommodate my voice, though I've recently given up singing due to having a small range and having better synthetic alternatives.

Oh, I should also comment that a lot of the time the key is dictated by the fact that I'll sometimes write for guitar.

[Starbright]

Actually there's 3 things (saying this as an ex music student):
1. payability/singeability - any idea should be memorable enough to hook you. And it's simply easier to create a hooky melody if you can also sing it.
2. Challenge creates inspiration, which means to play in a an unfakiar key c<n bring back that sensation of rediscovering music aon a new level again and not being stuck in a habbit.
3. The idea in your head ddemands that key.
4. You simply took the chords of your favourite song as a basis and never changed the key

[stoopicus]

You pick the key based on the weakest link in your band, usually the singer

[thievedletter]

I think key is not really that important, but diatonic chords (those derived from a corresponding scale) can provide a good guide for chord selection.

I think key has much more to do with music notation. You can limit how many accidentals (sharps and flats) within sheet music, by picking the key that most reflects the notes in your melodies and chords.
Similarly, orchestral and band instruments are transposed for a similar reason. Transposition keeps the notes centered on the notation staff.
(I.e. Bb Tenor sax)

[hardyharrharr]

i use the same scale as nigel tufnel
it has 12 notes
more is less

[hardyharrharr]

the thing is it's true, i do use the chromatic scale

It's got everything
Like a driving power
Big fat tires and everything

I love it
And I need it
I bleed it

[thievedletter]

Helpful

[DooyDude]

While there are some instances where I may have constraints leading me to particular keys (such as writing for this or that instrument/vocal range), I generally just pick something ans go with it. Later on, if I find I want to add something to a song that would work better if I moved up or down some steps, then I do it. But otherwise, I don't spend a lot of time thinking about a key. I often go "I haven't written is Ab major in a while, let's do that".

Of course, keys are very pliable things and especially in the kind of music I write, there can be a lot more chromaticism or focus on modes so keys are only starting points.

[thievedletter]

I often go "I haven't written is Ab major in a while, let's do that".

Same here, because why not?

[ThoughtExperiment]

This is probably more applicable to orchestral music, but classical composers associated specific keys with specific emotions. For example, the key of F major was regarded as 'pastoral', and the key of D major 'triumphant'. As I say, probably not so relevant these days, but it's an interesting notion. IMO of course

[Ciderwell]

Yeah, D major on the electric guitar can evoke "triumphant" sounds. While on acoustic D can have a lot of bounce, that I'd call "up beat". A major is better for love songs, though, that's probably just my personal take on those group of chords, (and likely change my opinion further down the line).

[EyeCloud]

i use the same scale as nigel tufnel
it has 12 notes
more is less

Do you also play in D minor when you want to play in the saddest of keys?