“Don’t Stop Believing” by the band Journey is perhaps one of the greatest and most popular rock songs of all-time.
Most keyboard players in cover bands play this song at almost every bar gig, wedding, or party. This song is essential for all keyboardists who love rock music, and the same goes for guitarists, drummers, and bass players.
I have played this song around 500 times in the past few years. I mostly played it with wedding bands. Sometimes I played it with well-known artists who enjoy covering this classic anthem. I’ve played it so many times that it’s etched into my memory.
I couldn’t make a mistake playing this song if I tried, right? Wrong.
A couple years ago I remember being on a gig and the band was sound-checking prior to the performance. The singer said “Hey, do you guys all know ‘Don’t Stop Believing’ by Journey?” to which the band groaned, “uhh, yeah.” We all knew it so we didn’t bother wasting time rehearsing it. This singer had a rough, bluesy voice, so I should have known he wouldn’t sing in the original key.
But it wasn’t until we were about to play the tune on stage that the bass player leaned over and discreetly informed me, “hey, he does this tune down a minor third, in the key of Db major.” The original, of course, is in the key of E major.
Now, I’m not claiming to be any musical genius because I was able to transpose “Don’t Stop Believing” and all of it’s pioneering harmonic advancements down a minor third. But I will tell you that, as many times as I’ve played this tune and should have been able to do this in my sleep, I had a moment of real fear as I realized I had about 5 seconds to start playing this tune in Db.
As anyone who has listened to this song knows, simply playing the right chords is not enough. The piano intro, which is iconic, requires playing with the right voicings of the chords.
I quickly analyzed the chords in my head before playing. I found the right starting chord and began the intro. However, I made a mistake about three chords in, but I don’t think anyone else noticed.
So what is the moral of the story?
Practicing the skill of transposition is very important, even in the rock world, and especially when working with singers because different singers oftentimes will sing the same tune in different keys.
Transposing music may seem like a daunting task, but with practice, it becomes second nature. By understanding the relationship between chords and how they function within a song, you can easily adapt a piece to fit a different key. This skill is crucial for musicians of all levels, whether you’re playing in a band or just jamming with friends.
In the world of rock music, where spontaneity and improvisation are key, being able to transpose on the fly can make a huge difference in the quality of your performance. It lets you try out different vocal ranges, play with new sounds, and keep the energy going smoothly.So next time you find yourself in a situation where you need to change keys, don’t panic.
Take a moment to analyze the chords, find the new starting point, and confidently continue playing. With practice and determination, you’ll soon be transposing like a pro, seamlessly adapting your favorite songs to any key.
Let’s quickly break down the intro to this classic rock hit and gain some insight into how to think about moving it to another key.
Notice a few important things right away. First, the chords are moving at the rate of one measure per chord. Second, the chord progression is very easy and all diatonic – I, V, vi, IV. My first step in the process of transposing this progression to Db major is to simply find the I, V, vi, and IV chords in this new key.
My next step is to find the proper inversion (or voicing) of the chords. As mentioned above, the piano intro is very well-known, so it is not enough to simply play the right chords because they also need to be expressed using the proper voicing. As I look at the original in the key of E, I notice that the first chord uses the 5th as the highest note in the voicing.
I need to find that same starting position in the new key of Db major.
Being familiar with the original version certainly also allows my ear to find and hear the correct note choices. To figure out the bass line for the first 4 measures of the song in the key of Db major, you will need to rely on both your ear and your transposition skills. Start by listening to the song and trying to pick out the bass line by ear. Pay attention to the notes being played and the rhythm of the bass line.
Once you have a good idea of the bass line, you can then use your transposition skills to determine the notes in the key of Db major. This may involve shifting the notes up or down by a certain number of semitones to match the key of Db major.
It may take some practice and experimentation to accurately transcribe the bass line, but with patience and persistence, you should be able to figure it out. Remember to trust your instincts and use your musical knowledge to guide you in deciphering the bass line for these first 4 measures of the song.
Willie Myette is a pianist, serial entrepreneur and author of over a dozen books on piano and music education. He received a scholarship to Berklee College of Music and graduated in under 4 years. Willie is the creator and president of online piano instruction sites Jazzedge® Academy, Jazz Piano Lessons and HomeSchool Piano.
