The 12 fundamental keys of Western music


The book makes use of a few simple concepts to illustrate essential elements of music theory and will add colour to the 7 points below.


⁍ The 12-tone equal temperament provides for the construction of 12 distinct musical keys

⁍ Each of the 12 keys is made up of a unique suite of 7 tones and has its own key signature

⁍ Any 7 consecutive tones within each key constitute a type of scale

⁍ The starting note of the scale dictates its tonality; tonality is often described as “that which gives colour and sentiment” to a particular piece of music

⁍ There are 7 tonalities - also known as modes

⁍ Those are are Aeolian, Locrian, Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, and Mixolydian

⁍ The most discussed mode is Ionian - more commonly known as the major scale - followed by the Aeolian mode - also known as the natural minor scale