Knowing the tempo and key of a song is essential for music production, DJing, and remixing. The tempo, measured in beats per minute (BPM), determines the song’s speed and energy, while the key tells you which notes and chords will work harmoniously with the song. In this article, we will discuss how to find the BPM and the key of a song or a beat.
Method 1: Use a BPM Counter
One of the easiest ways to find the BPM of a song is to use a BPM counter. As discussed earlier, a BPM counter is a tool that analyzes the waveform of a song to determine its tempo. Several software applications and websites can automatically detect the BPM of a track, including MixMeister, Tap for Beats, and GetSongBPM.
Once you’ve found the BPM of the song, you can use this information to determine its key using a variety of tools and techniques.
Method 2: Use a Key Detection Tool
A key detection tool is a software application that analyzes the harmonic content of a song to determine its key. These tools use advanced algorithms to identify the song’s pitch and tonality and provide you with the key information.
Some popular key detection tools include Mixed in Key, KeyFinder, and KeyFinder Pro. To use a key detection tool, upload your song to the tool, and the tool will analyze the harmonic content and provide you with the key information.
Method 3: Use Your Ears
While key detection tools can be useful, they’re not always 100% accurate, and they can struggle with complex or atypical harmonic content. As such, it’s also important to use your ears to determine the key of a song.
Start by listening to the song and trying to identify the tonic note – this is the note that the song feels like it resolves to. Once you’ve identified the tonic note, you can use this to determine the key.
For example, if the song’s tonic note is C, it’s likely that the key is either C major or A minor. To confirm this, you can listen to the other notes in the song and try to identify which notes sound harmonious and which sound dissonant. This will help you determine whether the song is in a major or minor key.
Method 4: Use a Combination of Tools
Finally, you can also use a combination of tools to determine the BPM and the key of a song. For example, you might start by using a BPM counter to find the tempo of the song, then use a key detection tool to determine the key.
Once you have this information, you can use your ears to listen to the song and confirm whether the key information is correct. By using a combination of tools, you can increase your chances of getting an accurate reading and ensure that you’re producing or remixing music that’s in the correct key and tempo.