3 Simple Steps to Choose the Perfect Key to Sing In

How do you figure out what key you should sing in? 

As a singer, you’re probably well aware of your vocal range. You feel comfortable singing in a particular key, and you know the high notes and low notes you’re going to struggle with. Fortunately, this doesn’t mean you’ll always be limited in your vocal repertoire. If you’re singing with a band, you’re lucky in that you can ask your bandmates to play a song in a different key, resulting in a lot more options for songs to sing!

Sometimes, though, finding the appropriate key to sing in can be challenging. And you don’t want to make it any harder on your band! Here are some tips to help you through this process of finding the easiest or perfect key to sing in.

Step 1) Determine Your Range

First things first: you’ll need to know the limits of your vocal range. Picking a song that is too low or too high for your voice will feel very uncomfortable for you to sing, and the audience will likely notice your stress. By knowing the general idea of the highest note you can sing and the lowest note you can sing, you right away should be able to tell when looking at a new piece of sheet music if it will sound good within your voice type. If you’re not sure of how to find your vocal range, start off on the piano, singing up and down the scales, and see where you feel comfortable singing!

How to Find Your Vocal Range

Here’s a great video that guides you through the process of finding your range:

Step 2: Test Out Different Keys

Try out a few different keys when singing a new song. Try singing a song in 3 different keys before you make a decision. You can try singing the song in three similar keys, close in pitch, or challenge yourself and try a lower key or a higher key. Sometimes a song may sound more interesting if it is flipped around. Trying something completely different can give the song a fresh, new element. Have fun with this and explore!

Step 3: Listen to the Song

After experimenting with a few different keys, record yourself and listen to how the song sounds.

If you can hear yourself feeling and sounding vocally fatigued, perhaps this key is not for you.

If you hear yourself missing notes or not quite reaching them, you will want to try a more comfortable key. These are just some of the indicators that will help you when choosing a good key to sing in.

Listen to your gut as well; if you are feeling any pain or discomfort when singing a song in a particular key, find a more suitable one. Try going more in-depth with learning about the style of the song you are singing. For example, an opera aria meant for a soprano may not sound the best in a low key like a jazz standard will. For these specific styles, try to stay as true as you can to the song and its original key.

Here’s a recap of the steps for finding the right key to sing in:

Finding the appropriate key to sing in may take some time and effort, but in the long run it will be worth it! If you need further help, ask your private lesson singing instructor or sign up for a free 30-day trial with TakeLessons Live, and work with an expert teacher in a group setting.