Exploring All 12 Keys in Music

So, sadly, not all music is in G major. I think a world where everyone plays everything in G might be a little bit restrictive.

I've organized my backing tracks to go through all 12 keys. This way, you can have a really good workout of your major scales, major seven arpeggios, and chords in each key.

Track Organization

• Three Tracks: I've organized these backing tracks over three tracks.
• Modulation: They modulate up in minor thirds. This is a slightly arbitrary decision, but I just quite like minor thirds, I think they move up quite nicely.

Practicing in 12 Keys

Practicing in 12 keys can be a bit of a dilemma. Here are some thoughts to consider:

• Time Management: You don't want to spend all your time just playing scales in different keys.
• Fluency: To be a really fluent player, at some point, you will need to address the slightly more remote keys than G major.
• Personal Interests: It depends on your outlook, how much time you've got, and how interested you are in learning to play in remote keys.

Quality Over Quantity

Make sure that however many keys you do, you do them properly.

• It's much more important to do two or three keys really, really well each session, rather than sketching through all 12.

Getting Started

• Track Playback: Put the tracks on.
• Tempo Flexibility: You can start off with scales at any tempo, minims, semibreves, quavers, semiquavers, triplets.
• Creative Practice: Try to go at your own speed and be creative with the scales once they're under your fingers.

Key Identification

Be really sure that you're identifying those chord tones in each key.