Key Signature for Modes?

[mikey]

FA's example ignores the second.  Just checks the third

[Altissimo]

That's problematic word usage but I get the point.

I agree but I'm also talking like what the """official""" terminology seems to thinks is the case :p

[FireArrow]

I don't know if it's the "official" way to do to it, but as far as I'm concerned if the tonic chord is minor (third lowered) then the key signature is minor.

[Dekkadeci]

I don't know if it's the "official" way to do to it, but as far as I'm concerned if the tonic chord is minor (third lowered) then the key signature is minor.

I agree nearly all the time, but I have heard of some pretty corner cases:

Mario Circuit, Mario Kart Double Dash

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If the song fluctuates between a minor and major tonic chord, I generally listen for which chord dominates in cadences. In this case, I go with C major.

Wicked Thing, Bravely Default

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Until 0:45-0:55 (which is in B minor), the song sounds like it's constantly soloing on the dominant (V chord) of C# minor. You can make some good arguments that the tonic chord is actually a G# major chord and that the true scale used is Phrygian dominant-like. Despite that, I'd assign most of the song a C# minor key signature.

Arena Theme, Kirby Super Star

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For the longest time, I was convinced that the song was in A minor (probably because of the strong use of chords associated with A minor). However, once I started playing it on piano, I was playing far too many A major chords. I'm not sure whether I should use an A major, A minor, or even D minor key signature.

Contrast: True Arena Theme, Kirby Super Star Ultra

In contrast, the True Arena theme from Kirby Super Star Ultra is firmly in A minor, despite being clearly based on the Arena theme above. ...Though perhaps sharing a soundfont and rhythmic motives with Galacta Knight's theme pushes the True Arena theme towards A minor.

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[Olimar12345]

FA's example ignores the second.  Just checks the third

It also ignores the fourth, sixth, seventh, etc. lol, but it's still a more useful method to use than the later. (See my quoted post on age 1).

[FireArrow]

I can't really comment on the second example since it would take a bit more time to analyze and I just kinda wanna go off of what you wrote.

Mario Circuit, Mario Kart Double Dash

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If the song fluctuates between a minor and major tonic chord, I generally listen for which chord dominates in cadences. In this case, I go with C major.

Then it modulates. I'd go with whatever key signature it starts/ends in if you don't wanna show the key changes (which you usually don't.)

Arena Theme, Kirby Super Star

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For the longest time, I was convinced that the song was in A minor (probably because of the strong use of chords associated with A minor). However, once I started playing it on piano, I was playing far too many A major chords. I'm not sure whether I should use an A major, A minor, or even D minor key signature.

Contrast: True Arena Theme, Kirby Super Star Ultra

In contrast, the True Arena theme from Kirby Super Star Ultra is firmly in A minor, despite being clearly based on the Arena theme above. ...Though perhaps sharing a soundfont and rhythmic motives with Galacta Knight's theme pushes the True Arena theme towards A minor.

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I should of been more specific with my example. You check whether or not the third is lowered when it's playing the tonic chord. In this case you'd use A major. Check out the foster's home for imaginary friends theme song, using a major tonic with a minor scale isn't too uncommon.