How To Change Keys In A Song (Piano lesson)

You guys asked for it, so here it is!

A couple of weeks ago I posted a lesson on how to change a song to any key, by using the number system. It's a great way to change the key of a song BEFORE you start playing, but a lot of you guys asked, "What about changing keys MID-song?".

So here we go! There are actually quite a few ways to change keys. Some are very technical and theoretical -- but I'm going to show you the simplest ways, so you can start using these techniques immediately.

Before I start -- there is one thing to remember when changing keys. It's possible to change to literally any key -- but there are easier keys to move to than others. What I mean by this is that it's a lot easier (and sounds nicer) to change to a different key if that new key is 'similar' to the one you are originally in.

For example, changing from the key of C to the key of F is quite easy, because C has no sharps or flats, while F only has one flat (Bb). Changing from the key of G to the key of D is also simple because G has only one sharp (F#) while D has two (F# & C#). So that's something to consider.

There are 3 easy ways to change from one key signature to another mid-song. I'll include the timecodes for each way:

1. Just do it! (Use a sus chord) - 0:35
This is the 'quick and dirty' version. We just move to the new key without a transition chord. It's the simplest way, and a lot of popular music does it, but it can be quite abrupt. Most key changes that use this technique are only shifting up one whole tone (E.g. going from C to D).

It really helps to play a sus4 chord of the NEW root note. So if we're moving from the key of G to E, we'll just play an Esus4 (which means we swap the 3rd for a 4th). That helps 'introduce' the new key signature, and then we're off.

2. Using chromaticism - 1:14
This is a fancy word for moving up the keyboard by half-steps until we get to the new key. We are 'stepping up' the keyboard to reach that new key. It helps create a break between the old and new so our ears can reset.

For example, if we're moving from G to A, we can use the G# note to step up to the new key. You don't even have to play a G# chord - you can just play the note, or play it as an octave, or even just a 5th (with C#).

3. Using common chords - 2:09
This is, in my opinion, the best way to change keys, but it is also more difficult than the previous two. That's because it requires you to know enough theory to know what chords are in the key you are currently in -- AND the key you are moving to.

But it's definitely the smoothest and nicest transition of the three. To do it, you need to identify the common chords. Those are the chords that exist in BOTH the original and new keys.

Let's say we are in the key of D. The key of D has the following chords:

D, Em, F#m, G, A, Bm, C#dim

Now, we want to change to a new key smoothly. So we should look for another key that also has some of these chords. There are a couple of options, but the key of G works really well because it has several common chords.

The key of G has the following chords:

G, Am, Bm, C, D, Em, F#dim

So you can see the common chords are G, Bm, D & Em. That's a lot! To change to the new key we can just sit on one of those chords for an extra bar and then move into the new key.

For other great resources -- check out our NEW 500 Songs in 5 Days training pack, to teach you how to play literally hundreds of songs:

And we have some free courses for beginners to get you started playing songs!

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[krisjhonpapasin]

In changing from a key to another, I usually use the 5th chord of my destination key. For example, if I change from G to A and I have this progression G - Em - C - D, i'll add an E after the D then move to A. So E is the 5th of A wherein it serves as an opening chord. To add beauty, I use E then E7 or D/E then E before A.

This goes for all keys! :)

[gnocchi.artyst]

My formula is 1a - 4a - 4b - 1b. So to change from G to A, the progression is G - C - D - A. From A to B is A - D - E - B. From C to A is C - F - D - A. And so on... It's simple, and smooth to my ears.

[RkdMuzik]

I always use Common Chords to change the scale, it really makes changes very unrecognizable. This scale changing process is Known as, " MODULATION ". BTW I Just Love Your Sweet Happy Personality, that's what Music and Musician is all about, Spreading Love and Happiness.😘 Love from INDIA. 🇮🇳

[FlintK]

Great production quality! Very interesting stuff, however I'm laughing hysterically because you called it a SUS cord xD. Someone will get that reference lol.

[robertdurhammusic]

Landed on your videos the other week and in the process of Learning so much from you. Hands down best piano YouTube teacher 😊. Explained simple enough and to the point. Thank you.

[TheMeJustMe]

As a guitar player this has been a great help to point me in the direction that I want to go. This will also help when writing for piano to combine with guitar.

[AnotherAlly]

Thank you, for this.

In a new song that I am re-tooling, I have a third verse after my bridge and coming out of the bridge, my song bored me to tears.

I added an Esus4 chord and moved up two steps for the 3rd verse, chorus and coda. Always wanted to change keys in one of my songs, but was afraid to...until now.

Thanks, again.

[adambrandon]

This filled in a lot of gaps. Thank you

[MonkeyMichael]

This is such a great video. Thank you!

[maryreas-oden]

That was incredibly helpful and simple. Thanks!

[CapourMusic]

What an interesting video! I can do this!

[paologeminiani]

Than you for your video but to resolve from Esus4 doesn´t one use A ?

[chrisc]

I made up an interesting exercise. Starting high up in the keys in any key play 4-5-1 chords and the one then becomes the 4th chord of whatever scale that is, then play the 5-1 of that scale. Rinse and repeat down the keys until you run out.

[thestreetpsalmist]

Hey awesome lesson, you can also go to the 5th chord of the key you want to go to. Moving to E from the G C D Bm progression, you would play G C D Bm, Bmajor(5th in E) then resolve to E. ☺

[df]

I love your simple lessons. Plus your personality makes it fun watching your videos.

[eross]

excellent lesson. i look forward to these videos every week. this is the only place i have found on youtube that actually explains music theory in a way that matches how my brain thinks. can you do a video explaining how to build chords and chord progressions from a single notes melody ?

[jhellesoe]

Thank you for this key changing tutorial that’s what I need when ever I change songs key I used the break button or intro but I love the way way you just showed now you earn a subscriber👍

[joelynnminton]

Common notes in major or minor triads, using 2nd or 3rd inversions. Sus 2 and Sus 4 work well as you said! Great video

[tristakerksiek]

Thank you! I'm so glad I found this. You're such a fun person to learn from. I will definitely subscribe!

[JeffTebow]

Maybe you can show us in an actual song. Thanks and more power