Payphone by Maroon 5 is in the key of A# Minor, with a tempo of 105 BPM and a Camelot code of 3A. Below are the full scale notes, the diatonic chords you can play over it, the Indian classical raga that maps to this key, and other songs in the same key for harmonic mixing or practice.
Scale & Notes of A# Minor
The A# Minor scale is built from these seven notes:
A#CC#D#FF#G#
Its relative key is C# Major (same notes), and its parallel key is A# Major. If you're transposing or looking for a vocal-comfortable key, those are the natural neighbours.
Chords in A# Minor
The seven diatonic triads in this key — the chord palette most of the song will draw from:
| Degree | Chord | Quality |
|---|
| i | A#m | Minor |
| ii° | Cdim | Diminished |
| III | C# | Major |
| iv | D#m | Minor |
| v | Fm | Minor |
| VI | F# | Major |
| VII | G# | Major |
Indian Classical: the Khamaj thaat
In Hindustani classical terms, A# Minor maps to the Khamaj thaat (Western mode: Mixolydian). Mixolydian mode — major scale with a flat 7th. Common in blues, rock, and folk. Earthy, sensuous quality. Traditional listening time: Late evening to night.
If you want to sing or practise in this key, set your tonic (Sa) to A#. Ragas built on this thaat:
- Khamaj — Mixolydian with both ♮7 and ♭7 (ascending/descending difference). Sensuous, romantic.
- Des — Mixolydian pentatonic (omits 2nd & 6th). Patriotic, folk-like (Late night).
- Jaijaiwanti — Mixolydian with both ♭3 and ♮3 — complex chromatic tension. Majestic, complex (Midnight).
- Tilak Kamod — Mixolydian with added ♭3 colour notes. Light, amorous (Night).
- Jhinjhoti — Mixolydian ♭3 (between Dorian and Mixolydian). Gentle, devotional (Night).
Set Tanpura to A# →Practise in this key →Find another song's key →
Harmonic mixing (for DJs)
Payphone sits at Camelot 3A. For a smooth harmonic transition, mix it with tracks in 2A, 3B, 4A — adjacent keys on the Camelot wheel that share most of their notes.