In western music we have 12 notes in total:
Do, Do# (Re♭), Re, Re#(Mi♭), Mi, Fa, Fa#(Sol♭), Sol, Sol#(La♭), La, La#(Si♭), Si
A key is basically a predefined set of these notes that we have to play on so we can stay in that key. The more music theory you know the better you'll be able to break this rule and even change keys at the middle of a song.
>How are there like keys and majors and like C minor chords and whatnot?
Keys are not just made up randomly, they follow certain patterns such as how many tones or semitones are between each note. This pattern will decide if it is a major or minor key.
We already established that a key is just a set of notes from the full spectrum of notes available. A chord is basically the same thing on a smaller scale, they are a set of notes you take from the key you are playing on. Same as in a key, how many tones and semitones divide the notes from your chord will also determine if it is major or minor chord.
>Does that just mean the voice sounds like a music note?
Yes. For example, a human voice and a piano may both emit the same note (same frequency), but you can distinguish them because they both have different timbres.
>Are songs not just "buttons" pressed in a certain order with certain delays (and pedals and whatnot)?
If we are oversimplifying it, yes. However, if we want our song to sound good then we need to follow certain rules. If you know enough theory it is possible to create a nice simple song on paper before actually hearing it.
Every answer can be elaborated way more than this but I tried to keep it in a ELI5 as much as possible.
Metal_Krakish t1_jdasdpa wrote
Reply to ELI5: How can songs be in a certain key? (And a few more questions about music) by Glum-Airport-4701
>How can songs be in a certain key?
In western music we have 12 notes in total: Do, Do# (Re♭), Re, Re#(Mi♭), Mi, Fa, Fa#(Sol♭), Sol, Sol#(La♭), La, La#(Si♭), Si
A key is basically a predefined set of these notes that we have to play on so we can stay in that key. The more music theory you know the better you'll be able to break this rule and even change keys at the middle of a song.
>How are there like keys and majors and like C minor chords and whatnot?
Keys are not just made up randomly, they follow certain patterns such as how many tones or semitones are between each note. This pattern will decide if it is a major or minor key.
We already established that a key is just a set of notes from the full spectrum of notes available. A chord is basically the same thing on a smaller scale, they are a set of notes you take from the key you are playing on. Same as in a key, how many tones and semitones divide the notes from your chord will also determine if it is major or minor chord.
>Does that just mean the voice sounds like a music note?
Yes. For example, a human voice and a piano may both emit the same note (same frequency), but you can distinguish them because they both have different timbres.
>Are songs not just "buttons" pressed in a certain order with certain delays (and pedals and whatnot)?
If we are oversimplifying it, yes. However, if we want our song to sound good then we need to follow certain rules. If you know enough theory it is possible to create a nice simple song on paper before actually hearing it.
Every answer can be elaborated way more than this but I tried to keep it in a ELI5 as much as possible.