Since, the notes in music theory (A-G) are cyclic, how do tell which key is higher and which one lower?

Question

Since, the notes in music theory (A-G) are cyclic, how do tell which key is higher and which one lower?

In: Other

Answer 1

Keys aren’t higher or lower than one another. You can choose notes so a specific chord is higher or lower than another, but as you mention notes are cyclic, so there is no highest or lowest key.

This gives rise to a cool auditory illusion known as [Shepard’s tone.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzNzgsAE4F0) By playing a combination of tones that get higher at the same time as introducing low tones and removing high tones, you can give the illusion a tone is getting higher indefinitely.