What does +1 key mean on karaoke? How many semitones is one key?
Short answer
On karaoke key controls, one key step is one semitone, the smallest pitch step in Western music. +1 raises the whole backing track a semitone, -2 lowers it a whole tone, and 12 steps make an octave. So -5 and +7 give the same key, one octave apart. Check your machine's on-screen number.
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Explanation
A semitone (half step) is the distance between two neighbouring piano keys, black keys included. Twelve semitones make an octave.
Changing the key moves every note of the melody and accompaniment by the same interval: a song in C major raised by 2 is in D major; lowered by 1 it is in B major.
Karaoke machines and apps generally move one semitone per press, but check the manual or the on-screen value. In MR Maker, -1 means exactly one semitone lower.
| Steps | Interval | Raise (+) | Lower (-) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Semitone (minor 2nd) | C → C♯ | C → B |
| 2 | Whole tone (major 2nd) | C → D | C → B♭ |
| 3 | Minor 3rd | C → E♭ | C → A |
| 4 | Major 3rd | C → E | C → A♭ |
| 5 | Perfect 4th | C → F | C → G |
| 6 | Augmented 4th (tritone) | C → F♯ | C → G♭ |
| 7 | Perfect 5th | C → G | C → F |
| 12 | Octave | C → C an octave up | C → C an octave down |
Frequently asked questions
Does changing the key change the tempo?
Key and tempo are separate. MR Maker's key change uses tempo compensation to keep the original speed; check the documentation of other machines or apps.
Are -6 and +6 the same?
They give the same key (a tritone shift) one octave apart, and both move the backing track by the same distance.
Why do big key changes sound strange?
Large pitch shifts move instrument timbre and reverb as well as notes, which can sound unnatural. Shift only as far as you need.
Make a backing track from your own file
Upload an audio file you are authorized to use (MP3, WAV, FLAC, M4A, AAC, OGG or MP4, up to 50MB). Conversion costs 1, 2 or 3 credits for low, medium or high quality; changing the key adds 1 credit.
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Sources
Each source was opened and checked on the date shown.
- Steps and Accidentals — musictheory.net (checked )
- Specific Intervals — musictheory.net (checked )
- Semitone — Wikipedia (checked )