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When I used BIAB to input chords, I discovered one thing.
When I enter the major key, it seems that the song is going to run into some obstacles.
But when I type in the minor key, I find it more suitable for singing.
Especially when it comes to the second part. If I use C major
Then the beginning of the second paragraph is generally Em, F (starting with III, V)
but when I use C minor
The second paragraph I think is more flexible, starting with III, IV, V, and Vi is fine.
When I researched a lot of popular songs, I also found that a lot of them were in minor keys.
what is this? What is the principle?
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In a major key, the IV has a strong dissonance with the major third ... in C major, F with E). In a minor key, the IV does not have that same dissonance as the third is minor and a whole tone away: F with Eb.
Whether that makes them more suited to singing probably depends upon the singer and the feel of the song.
Last edited by Gordon Scott; 01/27/22 04:47 AM.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful.
AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11
BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software.
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I tend to gravitate towards minor key songs, but I don't find them any easier to sing in either.
I play sax, flute, wind synth, guitar, bass, drums, keys, and vocals.
The hardest instrument I have learned so far is the voice. On the other instruments, if I put my fingers in the right place, the right notes come out.
Voice takes a lot of practice, learning to breathe properly, learning to use the airways properly, and more practice. Plus, if you rest, the voice will rust. Hours of practice (or gigging) multiple times per week.
But once learned, you don't have to spend endless auditions trying to find a singer for the band.
Insights and incites by Notes ♫
Bob "Notes" Norton  Norton Music
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as far as i am aware there is no principle. yes a lot of popular songs are in minor keys. but a lot are in major keys. the chord progressions you enter may suggest a key, but there is no principle here that you are looking for.
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IGNORE the preferred chord progressions...that leads to nothing except predictability. That may work for an improvising jazz soloists but - BLAH.
Cheers
rayc
"What's so funny about peace, love & understanding?" - N.Lowe
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Mr. Wuench taught us in seventh grade that minor keys sound sad. Much as I would like to completely dismiss anything he ever said, there’s clearly something to that, and I’ve always wondered why. I don't think they sound sad at all, it depends on the song construction, not the key -- at least to me. Dvorak's Symphony #9 is in a minor key, but there is absolutely nothing sad to me in that piece of art. So I suppose it's just a matter of opinion. Insights and incites by Notes ♫
Bob "Notes" Norton Norton Music
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Theoretically speaking.... the notes are all in the same range with the sole difference being the third a half step different.
So it stands to reason that singing in a major vs a minor key would be equally as challenging or conversely, equally as easy. The only difference perceived by the singer would be a psychological one. A given singer might prefer the minor key but that doesn't make it easier or harder to physically sing.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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I never write songs in a minor key. Minor keys are too sad.  Regards, Bob
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Theoretically speaking.... the notes are all in the same range with the sole difference being the third a half step different.
So it stands to reason that singing in a major vs a minor key would be equally as challenging or conversely, equally as easy. The only difference perceived by the singer would be a psychological one. A given singer might prefer the minor key but that doesn't make it easier or harder to physically sing.
It is a major endeavor for me to sing in a minor key! Ducking and running for cover
Waitress "How did you find your steak sir"?
Me "I just looked next to the potatoes and there it was"!
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For a singer I think it's the perception that a lower third note will be easier, and if off pitch by a little not so noticeable. (think blues, which again implies sad)
Someone else mentioned the overtones/harmonics
The major really needs to be closer to spot on pitch in order to establish said effect.
In my experience singers are more likely to accidentally err on the side of flat which is less forgiving in a major key (just my thoughts from how I see/hear things, YMMV)
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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It is a major endeavor for me to sing in a minor key!
But at least you're not diminished by trying.
Last edited by Gordon Scott; 01/28/22 12:04 AM.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful.
AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11
BIAB2026 Audiophile, a bunch of other software.
Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts
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It is a major endeavor for me to sing in a minor key!
But at least you're enot diminished by trying. You're augmenting my ego 
Waitress "How did you find your steak sir"?
Me "I just looked next to the potatoes and there it was"!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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I play sax, flute, wind synth, guitar, bass, drums, keyboard synth, and voice.
Of all these instruments, singing was the hardest one for me to learn. It took a lot of practice to get my vocal cords to behave.
Playing a wind instrument, I knew about proper breathing and breath support, so I had a decent start. The sax is not in tune with itself, I have to listen and adjust my lip pressure on the reed from note to note in order to play it in tune, so I had that skill.
I guess it was like any other physical endeavor; I had to slowly build the muscle tone up to the point where I could have fine control of the pitch.
It took singing every day for what seemed like endless months to be halfway decent. After that, it took a couple of years to reach my own personal peak.
I'll never be a great singer, as the instrument I was born with isn't a fine instrument, but I am a decent singer.
I married a great singer, so she gets to sing all the most difficult songs - and she likes that.
Major or minor doesn't matter. Some melodies have difficult intervals to jump, they take more practice, and some are just more fun than others.
I've noticed that when adults err in pitch, it's usually flat, but not nearly a half step, and when very young people err, it's often sharp.
The main thing is to breathe properly, use breath support, relax your throat, use the resonance of your oral and nasal cavities to your advantage, and use your ears and your muscle control to sing the pitch you intend to sing.
Sometimes singing off-pitch a bit is a good vocal effect. That depends on the song and the particular note in that song.
Insights and incites by Notes ♫
Bob "Notes" Norton Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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I play sax, flute, wind synth, guitar, bass, drums, keyboard synth, and voice.
Of all these instruments, singing was the hardest one for me to learn. It took a lot of practice to get my vocal cords to behave.
Playing a wind instrument, I knew about proper breathing and breath support, so I had a decent start. The sax is not in tune with itself, I have to listen and adjust my lip pressure on the reed from note to note in order to play it in tune, so I had that skill.
I guess it was like any other physical endeavor; I had to slowly build the muscle tone up to the point where I could have fine control of the pitch.
It took singing every day for what seemed like endless months to be halfway decent. After that, it took a couple of years to reach my own personal peak.
I'll never be a great singer, as the instrument I was born with isn't a fine instrument, but I am a decent singer.
I married a great singer, so she gets to sing all the most difficult songs - and she likes that.
Major or minor doesn't matter. Some melodies have difficult intervals to jump, they take more practice, and some are just more fun than others.
I've noticed that when adults err in pitch, it's usually flat, but not nearly a half step, and when very young people err, it's often sharp.
The main thing is to breathe properly, use breath support, relax your throat, use the resonance of your oral and nasal cavities to your advantage, and use your ears and your muscle control to sing the pitch you intend to sing.
Sometimes singing off-pitch a bit is a good vocal effect. That depends on the song and the particular note in that song.
Insights and incites by Notes ♫ thanks!
WIN10 20H2, AMD R4800H ,16G , 2T ,FOCUSRITE 2i4 MKII，Studio One,FL STUDIO
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I love singing & playing the "Blue Note", somewhere in-between the minor & major 3rd...
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Listen to Songs that have Both built in ! EG : I Love Paris !
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