What key is Synthwave Music typically in?

If you're looking to create a Synthwave song, you may be wondering what key you should write your song in. 

Well, I examined the keys of 50 different Synthwave songs to discover what key Synthwave music is typically written in, and here is what I found...

Most Synthwave songs are written in the keys of A Minor and B Flat Major. Synthwave music can be composed in any key. If you want to go for a bright, happy, and cheerful Synthwave sound, then use major keys. If you want a more melancholy and sad sound, use minor keys.

I know, that might seem a little obvious at first glance, but let's look at the data:

Quick note: I used Tunebat.com to find the keys for these songs, so I don’t know if these are completely accurate, but I crossed checked the results I got from Tunebat with Ultimate-guitar.com and findsongtempo.com which all seemed to support one another.

Should Synthwave Songs Be In Major or Minor Keys?

Obviously, there are thousands and thousands of Synthwave songs out there, and so the 50 I picked might not be representative, but I found that the majority were in Major keys. 

  • Songs in Major Key: 34
  • Songs in Minor Key: 16

Of course, this also depends on the type of song you want to create. Generally minor keys will be more melancholy, and major will be more happy. 

What Is The Most Common Key Synthwave Songs Are In?

The most common key range was the key of A, which had 11 songs written in it across the keys of A Major, A Minor, and A Flat Major. 

The key of D came in second place, with 10 songs across the keys of D Major, D Minor, D Flat Major, and D Flat Minor. 

The two most common specific keys were A minor and B Flat Major, each with 5 songs apiece.

What Keys Are Synthwave Songs In?

So of the 50 different Synthwave songs I researched, just what keys were these songs in?

Key

# of Songs In Key

A Major

2

A Minor

5

A Flat Major

4

B Major

1

B Minor

1

B Flat Major

5

C Major

4

C Minor

3

D Major

3

D Minor

2

D Flat Major

3

D Flat Minor

2

E Major

3

E Flat Minor

1

F Major

3

F Sharp Major

4

G Major

2

G Minor

2

As you can see, Synthwave songs can be written in any key.

If there is a particular Synthwave song you really enjoy, consider writing your song in the same key to help you get a similar sound.

Here are the songs I researched for this article:

Synthwave Songs In Key Of A

A Major

  • Run Away With ME by Moonrunner83
  • Magic by FM Attack, Kristine

A Minor

  • Stars of the Night by Dynatron
  • Modern Love by Kristine
  • Radio by Le Cassette
  • The Danger by Kristine
  • Nightcall by Kavinsky

A Flat Major

  • Sky High by D/A/D
  • Automatic Call by NINA
  • Runaway by LeBrock
  • We Belong by Futurecop!

Synthwave Songs In Key Of B

B Major

  • Teenage Color by College

B Minor

  • Inhale by New Arcades

B Flat Major

  • Tiger Teeth by Walk The Moon
  • Tech Noir by Gunship
  • Levitate by Kalax
  • A Real Hero by Electric Youth, College
  • New Cydonia by Starcadian

Synthwave Songs In Key Of C

C Major

  • City In The Sea by Andromeda Coast
  • '85 Again (feat. Miss K) by Gunship
  • Sunset by The Midnight
  • Dreams (feat. Dana Jean Phoenix) by Timecop1983

C Minor

  • Midnight Run by Sebastian Gampl
  • Days of Thunder by The Midnight
  • Static by Timecop1983

Synthwave Songs In Key Of D

D Major

  • By Your Side by The Runaway Club
  • We Lost by Anoraak, Slow Shiver
  • Nomad City by Phaserland

D Minor

  • Running In The Night by FM-84
  • Le Mirage by Dana Jean Phoenix

D Flat Major

  • Crystal Ships by Michale Oakley
  • Desert King by Lghtnng
  • Never Stop by FM-84, Ollie Wride

D Flat Minor

  • Can't Stop Falling In Love by W O L F C L U B
  • Stranger Love by Sunglasses Kid

Synthwave Songs In Key Of E

E Major

  • This Whole Nothing by Color Theory
  • Jetpacks by Von Kaiser
  • Waiting On The Summer by VHS Collection

E Flat Minor

  • Tonight by Timecop1983

Synthwave Songs In Key Of F

F Major

  • Kids by The Midnight
  • NASA by Futurecop!
  • Sanfransokyo Girl by Satellite Young

F Sharp Major

  • Georgetown by The Bad Dreamers
  • Adrift by Dance With The Dead
  • Love Someone by DWNTWN
  • Turn Back Time by Michael Oakley

Synthwave Songs In Key Of G

G Major

  • Forever In Your Heartbeat by Fear Of Tigers
  • Transformers by Futurecop!

G Minor

  • Bad Dream Baby by September 87
  • Sweet Nothings by Robert Parker

The Mix Down: Conclusion

As you have probably already deduced from the data, you can create a Synthwave song in just about any key, and it can have a wide range of tempos. 

What’s more important to creating a Synthwave-sounding song is the arrangement and instrumentation. 

If you want to quickly finish your song so that it's radio-ready and sound professional, then grab my rapid song-finishing checklist below!

Rapid Song-Finishing Checklist 2.0

Create Better Songs, Faster

Click below to download my free song-finishing checklist to help you create radio-ready songs without taking months to complete them.

I hope you got value from this post on, What Key Is Synthwave In. 

If so, I'd love for you to give this post a share, and let me know in the comments below...

What Is Your Biggest Struggle With Making Synthwave Music?

Reagan Ramm


Hi! I'm Reagan, and I've been writing, recording, and mixing music since 2011, and got a degree in audio engineering in 2019 from Unity Gain Recording Institute. I also work full-time in Digital Marketing and Entrepreneurship, and am striving to help fellow musicians and producers improve their art and make a living doing the work they love.

- Reagan Ramm


Tags

key, songwritting, Synthwave


You may also like

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked

{"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}

Finish Songs Faster