Explore how a collection of notes can create a sense of musical home, and how that relates to keys and scales.
Listen for a home note
Play a C-major scale
Play C D E F G A B C. Listen to the last C as a point of arrival.
Pause before arriving
Play C D E F G A B and stop. Then play C. Compare the unfinished and finished sensations.
Make a short phrase
Use the white keys to create a phrase that ends on C. Try ending the same idea on another note and notice how it changes.
A key is more than a list of permitted notes. Phrases, chords, rhythm, and repetition can all help establish a tonal center. A key signature is useful information, but listening to the music is what makes that information meaningful.