The Keys

To start off I’m going to look at the keys because the keys are essential to know when figuring out other important aspects such as chord progressions and triads. The key signatures of both pieces are distinctly different. While, Joy to the World is in D major, with no accidentals present, Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy is in the key of e minor, with many accidentals. For example in second measure, in the bass clef the A and C are raised a semitone with the first chord and then return to their natural form with the second chord. As well, in the treble clef the D is raised a semitone. This pattern is then repeated in the fourth measure.