Keychange in a Song: half step or whole step (1 Fret or 2, please???)

[badrail]

Just wondering the opinion of the masses on here, within a song to step up a possible lack-luster ending or to emphasize the hook for the final time, would you give it a half step up or whole step?  CountryWestern composer/singer Clay Walker uses a half step regularly with interesting results, but most others use a whole step. I have used the whole step on a couple of my songs with good results but have never tried the half step due to confusion with playing the rest of the chords in a different (and confusing) key. Maybe that's what CAPO's are for....(lol) Thanks for your input and have musical nice day!!!

[ODH]

I would say go with what feels right, a semitone or a full one.  Try both.

The masters of the key change - Westlife - usually go with a semitone and about the two-thirds point of the song and combine it with stepping off their bar-stools.  Highly effective.

[henwrench]

Personally, I find key changes incredibly devoid of all imagination.

                                                              henwrench

[Greeny (No longer active)]

The masters of the key change - Westlife - usually go with a semitone and about the two-thirds point of the song and combine it with stepping off their bar-stools.  Highly effective.

You've summed up what I feel about key changes with this (genius) quote / observation.

Key changes (for me) are a deliberate, calculated device to somehow touch people emotionally or take the bland idiot masses to a higher state of musical arousal.

I wouldn't touch one with a barge pole.

If the song's good enough, you can touch people without resorting to tricks.

I've just had a few pints of cider, so I apologise if I'm more uppity than usual.

[henwrench]

Key changes (for me) are a deliberate, calculated device to somehow touch people emotionally or take the bland idiot masses to a higher state of musical arousal.

I wouldn't touch one with a barge pole.

If the song's good enough, you can touch people without resorting to tricks.

   That sums up my feelings precisely.

                                                         henwrench

[The Gobi Desert Canoe Club]

Hi, I have used key changes in the past, usually a full tone and then fall off my bar stool having the effect of adding a comedic element.........Willie

[Hilary]

Hi, I have used key changes in the past, usually a full tone and then fall off my bar stooling having the effect of adding a comedic element.........Willie

you should get a lower stool Willie - personally I think half a step but whatever works (can't play either so never touch them)

[Geir]

For me it's just another tool in the toolbox ......... That I haven't used yet except for in a recent cover....

I might tho ...

And I know at least one songcrafter that has done it with great effect, without it sounding cheesy.

[AndyR]

Yep, definitely another tool in the box as far as I'm concerned. And I do use it

For the type of change you're looking at I try whole step first. Usually it does the job, but if not (sounds too cheesy maybe), I'll try anything.

I also like having different sections of the song in different keys and switching back and forth (eg chorus in a different key to the verse... in this case, I find the trouble is usually getting back to the verse without spoiling the mood).

But yeah, it is all about controlling mood/emotions... whether that's actually any more artificial than using more than one chord in an arrangement (or more than one note in a melody!), is probably open to debate!

I do think the use of "one key up for the last verse/chorus" is possibly a little cheesy and over-used (like ending a minor song on the major - I hate that one!). But sometimes it's just right. I try not to do it too often, and when I do, I try not to make it sound too "obvious" (unless "obvious" is what the song needed), I like it to be natural and for it to feel like that was where the song was going anyway.

[ODH]

I don't have any axe to grind (except for my Telecaster!) about key changes, I've used them myself on occasion.  I put one into my Steeley Dan cover.

would you give it a half step up or whole step?

The beauty about songwriting is that there litterally are no rules, you can make whatever choices seem right at the time. That's why every song and every songwriter is unique.  Play about, experiment.  If you feel a song is getting lack-lustre, mix it up.  Keychanges are one of the tools in the toolbag; other tools are available.