What keys really go together?

   

Hi

I often use the Camelot Wheel for mixing songs in key.

However, sometimes keys that should go together, don't sound good when mixed

Other times, songs sound good together even though they have keys that shouldn't fit

There are different explanations and guidelines out there on how to use the Camelot Wheel. But how does it actually work? Is there one set of rules that always apply or does the tool only give an indication that two tracks should go together?

Kind regards, Matteo Kopriva

Hi Matteo,

The Camelot system is the same as the circle of fifths which (amongst other things), show which piano keys (black or white) are part of either a minor (inner part of the circle) or major (outer part of the circle) consist of. When going clockwise or counter clockwise in the circle only 1 key (black or white) changes and therefore these signatures (for instance C major and G major) are harmonically very compatible. If you change from the other part of the circle to the connected inner part of the circle, there are no changes in the piano keys that make up the signature, only the 'feel' changes, major to minor, or minor to major.

I recon you're using something like mixed in key in order to analyse the camelot keys. The analysis (based on Fourier theory), isn't perfect. So it may be that a different key is interpreted from what the track actually is. 

Also not all tracks are in the minor or major scales and it's even possible that songs have multiple keys or key changes.

Just practice harmonic mixing and you'l get a better ear for it. Also in my opinion harmonic mixing is a bit overrated, can become really dull especially if it limits you in your music selection.