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Singers: How to Cram Learning & Shifting Keys

Writer's picture: Ibukun EstherIbukun Esther

As a singer, you have probably found yourself in a situation where you needed to learn a new song under a time crunch. Most times, the song's key doesn't fit your vocal range. It's a challenge, but with the right approach, it is doable.


Learning to shift keys is not something you can master overnight. However, there are strategies you can use to speed up the process. This article will provide easy steps to tackle last-minute song requests.



singer shifting keys


What You Need to Know Before Craming and Learning How to Shift Keys


Every good singer must understand some basic concepts of a dong before going ahead to shift keys. Below are some of these concepts.


Key Signature


Before adjusting the keys of a song, you must familiarize yourself with different key signatures and how they affect the overall pitch of the music. You will also need to learn about relative keys. Relative keys are keys of a song that share identical key signatures. Knowing the relative keys can help you quickly transpose a song to a more comfortable key.


Transposition


Before transposing the keys of the new song:

  • Start with a song you know.

  • During practice, transpose this familiar song by half a step up or down.

  • Gradually increase the interval as you become more comfortable with the keys. You can use a chromatic tuner to help you stay accurate while transposing.


Vocal Exercises 


All musicians need to use vocal exercises to increase their vocal range. A wider vocal range will make singing new songs in different keys easier. Try to practice exercises that will help to improve your vocal flexibility. 


Technology 


Before learning new shifts, you can do quick research on apps that help slow down or speed up a song. Adjusting the speed of a new one makes it easier to learn. 


8 Quick Steps to Learn How to Shift Keys Effectively Using YouTube and MP3 Converter


1. Find the song on YouTube.

2. Use Google to convert YouTube to MP3

3. Copy and paste the YouTube links into the converter.

4. Use your laptop to download, drag and drop the MP3 into your DAW. Ensure you use Logic Pro for this task.

5. Open a pitch shifter. Adjust the key to suit your voice 

6. Transpose down 2-4 semitones if you are a male vocalist and vice-versa if you are a female.

7. Google the chords and transpose the chords chart.

8. Bounce out the audio of the transposed version so you can internalize the new vocal melody and instrumental parts. 


Conclusion 


You can get a vocal coach to help you practice if no gig is in sight. A vocal coach will also help you identify the areas of your singing that need improvement. However, if a gig is looming, follow the eight steps above to get your perfect key. And if you don't know where your next gig is coming from, use the SoundHeart Robotic AI Booking agent to get one with decent pay around you.


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