ABSTRACT
Looking at the “James Bond Theme,” it might appear that the piece is in the key of C major because there are no sharps or flats in the key signature.
“James Bond Theme” (M. Norman)
However, the melody centers on A and the downbeat, the strongest beat of every measure, is an A. This piece is not in C major but in the key of A minor. Every key signature can signify either a major or a minor key. In this module we will explore pieces written in minor keys and how they compare with those written in major keys. (Note: The key of a piece written in major may be labelled “C major” or simply “C.” The key of a piece in minor should always state “minor” as in “A minor.”)
TRACKS 69-74-CLASS EXERCISE
Discuss the “quality” of major versus minor keys: does a piece written in major sound brighter and happier, and a piece written in minor sound sadder or more mysterious? Can a piece written in a minor key sound happy-and why or why not?
