## Finding the Right Key to Sing In - Worship Matters Source URL:: <https://worshipmatters.com/2009/05/11/finding-the-right-key-to-sing-in/> ### Highlights > [!quote]+ %%Updated on Thu Mar 30 2023 08:42:44 GMT-0400%% > > Slower songs with a narrow range (less than an octave) can work fine in lower keys because they don’t require as much energy. So “Here I am to Worship” (range of a 5th) could be done in C, D, or E. On the other hand, uptempo songs naturally require more energy and people can often belt out the higher notes without a problem. For instance, I’ve been in meeting where people didn’t seem to have a problem singing an F# on the chorus of a “Did You Hear the Mountains Tremble” (although I’m not exactly clear on what that chorus means). > [!quote]+ %%Updated on Thu Mar 30 2023 08:43:04 GMT-0400%% > > The widest range a song will go is usually an octave and a fifth, the same range as “The Star Spangled Banner.” In those cases, I opt for a range of G to D or A to E. “Shout to the Lord” is an octave and a fourth, so A is a good key, although it can also be done in Bb. > [!quote]+ %%Updated on Thu Mar 30 2023 08:43:20 GMT-0400%% > > It can be done in C, but the bridge briefly hits an F. > [!quote]+ %%Updated on Thu Mar 30 2023 08:43:36 GMT-0400%% > > If much of the melody stays within a certain range, I’ll factor that into the decision. So if a song has a chorus that stays up around a D, I often drop the key of the song a step, as long as it doesn’t make it too low in other parts.  “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing” has a range of a 9th, but the chorus hits the high note six times. So I’d generally choose the key of F over G, making the high note a D.