Harmony 4: Guide to Melody-Writing Questions

1. Figure out if the home key is in major or minor by seeing if the leading note (VII) of the

possible minor key is raised.

2. Bars 7 - 12 are in the new key.

3. If the home key is major, then the new key is key V (also major).

4. If the home key is minor, then the new key is the relative major.

Regarding accidentals:

1. If the home key is major, then the new key must have a raised leading note.

2. If the home key is minor, then the leading note should be raised until you have changed to the

new key.

* Exception in minor keys: When notes VI and VII are placed next to one another, the melodic minor key is used. When VI and VII are part of an upward pattern, then both are raised. When VI and VII are part of a downward pattern, then both are left as is.