Skip to main content
Blues Harmonica logo

User Account

Username:*
Password:*
Forgot Your Password?

Visitor Menu

  • Sign Up
  • Sample Lesson #1
  • Sample Lesson #2
  • Student Recordings
  • Forums
Forums :: General Discussion

Automatic Key Recognition

7 replies [Last post]
Wed, 01/23/2019 - 09:25
JCWUSMC
JCWUSMC's picture
Offline
Level 4
Joined: 03/26/2017

In the past i saw a posting that a software called capo with drag and drop feature into an apple computer or iphone helps to identify the key of the the song.

is there anyone who has tried this on their iphone and provide some instruction or recommendations on how to do this with an iphone?

thank you

 

Top
Fri, 03/29/2019 - 15:35
#1
Barn0wl2K
Barn0wl2K's picture
Offline
Joined: 01/26/2019
I also looked into the Capo

I also looked into the Capo software, after seeing David's tip about it, but was slightly disappointed that it was only for Mac/Ios. Does anyone know of somethiing similar for Windows?

Top
Sat, 03/30/2019 - 05:04
#2
garyhayes
garyhayes's picture
Offline
Level 8
Joined: 02/01/2015
Riffstation

You could try this https://play.riffstation.com/

Top
Sat, 03/30/2019 - 13:15
#3
Barn0wl2K
Barn0wl2K's picture
Offline
Joined: 01/26/2019
Alas, it looks like

Alas, it looks like Riffstation pro is no longer available ... there's a message saying a "new product" is coming, but no info on when it might be available.

Top
Sat, 03/30/2019 - 23:42
#4
Erhard E
Erhard E's picture
Offline
Level 4
Joined: 10/18/2018
Automatic Key REcognition

I'm using a program called Song Surgeon 5. Software is not a bargain but is does the job. There are plenty of feature descriptions on Youtube.

Top
Sat, 04/06/2019 - 14:59
#5
Barn0wl2K
Barn0wl2K's picture
Offline
Joined: 01/26/2019
Song Surgeon

Thanks Erhhard E! This is probably going on my wish list.

Top
Tue, 04/09/2019 - 09:06
#6
Expert Winslow Yerxa
Expert Winslow Yerxa's picture
Offline
Expert
Joined: 01/16/2010
Train your ear to ID keys, with aid of an app

It's great to have apps that will tell you the key of a song, but it's also a crutch that short circuits the learning process.

Here's a suggestion for using a key recognition app to train your ear.

1) Listen to a song and try to hear and feel the tonal center. Hum that note. Maybe try a few different notes that feel strong, and try to evaluate which one feels strongest.

2) Identify the note or notes that feel strongest, using a harmonica, keyboard, or other way of matching up the note(s) you've indentifed with named pitches (C, G, A or whatever). If you're using a harmonica to identify the note, always use Blow 1, as this is the note that matches the key of the harmonica, and will tell you the key of the music, even if you ultimately use a different key of harmonica to play the song.

3) Try using a harmonica in second position to play along. Does it feel like the right fit for the key? (If there's armoncia on the record, they might e playing in another position, such as first or third, so you can't rely on being able to match what they're playing – go by the feel of Draw 2 and Draw 4 against the background of hte recording.)

4) Now run the app and see how well you did. (And remember, apps are not perfect and might make mistakes.)

5) If the app gives a different result from yor ear work, take the note the app indenitifies as the key note, and try humming it against the recording. How does it feel to your ear and body? That's the feel you want to experience when you're looking for the key by ear. 

Top
Sun, 04/21/2019 - 16:17
#7
Barn0wl2K
Barn0wl2K's picture
Offline
Joined: 01/26/2019
Excellent!

Thank you so much for this, Winslow. I will definitely be working more with trying to ID the pitch from your tips. I think it will help me a lot with just learning music.

Top

Sign me up!

Full access to all lessons starts at $20/month! (with annual subscription)

Subscribe

Free Sample Lessons

After watching the BluesHarmonica.com overview video, try one of the lessons below to experience a lesson at BluesHarmonica.com.

  • Tongue Blocking Study 2 – This study is for the newer player or the player new to tongue blocking
  • Bending Study 5 – This is for the advanced player looking to improve their bending skills

Contributors

  • Aki Kumar
  • Joe Tartaglia
  • Gary Smith
  • Mark Hummel
  • Joe Filisko

Site Links

  • About David Barrett
  • Accredited Instructors
  • Links
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact Us
Hohner
© 2009 - 2025 David Barrett and the Harmonica Masterclass Co. for Bluesharmonica.com