

The next track in your DJ set could then be any of the keys next door. For example, let's say that your first track of your set was 6A. How does the Camelot Key Wheel show us what keys sound good together?įirst choose your starting key.

You'll actually notice with most house and techno playlists the majority of the tracks are minor for this reason. This is quite a simplification, we prefer to think to think of minor keys as sounding more soulful. If you take piano lessons your tutor will often describe minor keys as sad sounding and major keys as happy sounding. The B ring represents the major keys shown here like B-Flat Major or E-Flat Major. The A ring represents the minor keys as shown here using the classical names like G Minor or C Minor. The easiest way to think about this is Karaoke! You can sing the right lyrics but if you don't sing in the right key it sounds awful! With DJing you can do a great beatmatch, blend and have the correct timing but if the keys clash it can also sound awful! If we mix two songs of opposing key signatures we can often end up with a clash of key signatures which often isn’t very pleasing to listen to. When we mix in key were trying to mix our songs based on this information.

The Five Fundamental Skills Set Preparation Beatmatching EQing and Blending Phrasing (timing) Mixing Harmonically Why Mixing in Key or Mixing Harmonically is so important.Įvery song we hear will sit in a certain key signature. When learning how to DJ from the beginner level there are five main things to learn that make up the five fundamental skills. So, avoid your set sounding bad and start using your keys! The opposite of a harmony it is called dissonance. It's important to know the key of your tracks so you can avoid key clashes where the two tracks clash. Mixing in key, or harmonic mixing, is when we take into consideration the key of the two songs we’re transitioning between when DJing with the aim of creating a more harmonious mix. What is Harmonic Mixing and how important is it?
