Great Expectations

The Gaslight Anthem's Great Expectations is in the key of G Minor, moving at 124 BPM. The Camelot code 6A tells you which neighbouring keys will sound smooth alongside it. Here's everything you need: scale, chords, raga, and related songs.

Scale & Notes of G Minor

The G Minor scale is built from these seven notes:

GAA#CDD#F

Its relative key is A# Major (same notes), and its parallel key is G Major. If you're transposing or looking for a vocal-comfortable key, those are the natural neighbours.

Chords in G Minor

The seven diatonic triads in this key — the chord palette most of the song will draw from:

Indian Classical: the Kafi thaat

In Hindustani classical terms, G Minor maps to the Kafi thaat (Western mode: Dorian). Dorian mode — minor scale with a natural 6th. Common in jazz and folk music (Santana, 'So What' by Miles Davis). In Indian music it gives a gentle, romantic character. Traditional listening time: Afternoon to midnight.

If you want to sing or practise in this key, set your tonic (Sa) to G. Ragas built on this thaat:

• Kafi — Pure Dorian — ♭3 and ♭7, natural 2nd and 6th. Romantic, folk-like, seasonal (Holi).
• Pilu — Dorian with chromatic passing notes — very flexible. Light classical, semi-classical (Any time).
• Bhimpalasi — Dorian pentatonic (omits 2nd & 6th). Meditative, longing (Afternoon).
• Bageshri — Dorian with omitted 5th in ascent — intimate, introspective. Romantic, feminine (Late night).
• Patdeep — Dorian with both ♮3 and ♭3 in descent. Tender, seasonal (Afternoon).

Set Tanpura to G →Practise in this key →Find another song's key →

Harmonic mixing (for DJs)

Great Expectations sits at Camelot 6A. For a smooth harmonic transition, mix it with tracks in 5A, 6B, 7A — adjacent keys on the Camelot wheel that share most of their notes.