Changing the key in an instrumental cue?

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DanL
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Changing the key in an instrumental cue?

Post by DanL » Sat Apr 13, 2024 4:51 pm

I don't know if this been discussed before? I did some searches but wasn't able to find any forum thread on the subject. :?

I'm writing a Hip Hop Dramedy Instrumental Cue, and 30 seconds into the cue, I feel it would be appropriate to change the key from C to D, continuing with the same theme/hook in the new key.
Considering it's an instrumental dramedy cue - should I avoid it and continue in the same key throughout the track or what do you think? :)

Thanks!
Dan
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funsongs
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Re: Changing the key in an instrumental cue?

Post by funsongs » Sat Apr 13, 2024 7:05 pm

Think it's a no-go, Dan; but we'll see if there's more elaboration from others.
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Last edited by funsongs on Sat Apr 13, 2024 11:16 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Casey H
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Re: Changing the key in an instrumental cue?

Post by Casey H » Sat Apr 13, 2024 7:20 pm

As funsongs said, it's absolute NO, don't do it. With Film/TV music, editors need to be able to slice & dice, copy/cut/paste parts of your cue to make it fit the scene. If you change keys, that's not possible. Always end the cue on the root key chord, generally a ring-out.

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funsongs
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Re: Changing the key in an instrumental cue?

Post by funsongs » Sat Apr 13, 2024 11:18 pm

Casey H wrote:
Sat Apr 13, 2024 7:20 pm
As funsongs said, it's absolute NO, don't do it. With Film/TV music, editors need to be able to slice & dice, copy/cut/paste parts of your cue to make it fit the scene. If you change keys, that's not possible. Always end the cue on the root key chord, generally a ring-out.

HTH
:D Casey
:P Casey!
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cosmicdolphin
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Re: Changing the key in an instrumental cue?

Post by cosmicdolphin » Tue Apr 16, 2024 1:10 pm

I had this printed out on the wall in my studio for a while :

One Key

One Tempo

One Emotion

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