|
|
|
|
Key Signatures
|
|
|
A key signature is a standardized collection of
all the sharps or flats used in a scale, written immediately after the
clef at the beginning of a line of musical notation, although they can appear
in other parts of a score, usually after a double bar.
|
|
|
| Accidentals |
|
An accidental is a musical notation symbol used to raise or
lower the pitch of a note. A sharp raises the pitch of a note one semitone
while a flat lowers it a semitone. A natural is used to cancel the effect of a
flat or sharp.
|
|
Key signatures are very usefull and practical for music notation. Instead of
putting a shap for each F in G Major or E Minor scale, putting just one sharp
after the chef is enough at the beginning.
|
 |
|
For key signatures with sharps, the first sharp is placed on F line (for the key
of G major/E minor). Subsequent additional sharps are added on C, G, D, A, E
and B. For key signatures with flats, the first flat is placed on the B line,
with subsequent flats on E, A, D, G, C and F. There are 15 different key
signatures, including the "empty" signature of C major/A minor. Please
look at the simple key signature worksheet. This small key signatures chart
tells so much!
|
 |
G Major / E Minor |
|
 |
F major / D minor
|
 |
D Major / B Minor |
|
 |
Bb major / G minor |
 |
A Major / F# Minor |
|
 |
Eb major / C minor |
 |
E Major / C# Minor |
|
 |
Ab major / F minor |
 |
B Major / G# Minor |
|
 |
Db major / Bb minor |
 |
F# Major / D# Minor |
|
 |
Gb major / Eb minor |
 |
C# Major / A# Minor |
|
 |
Cb major / Ab minor |
|
|
C Major / A Minor
|
C Major and its relative minor A minor are the only keys do not have
accidentals. |
|
| An absence of a key signature does not always
mean that the music is in the key of C major or A minor: each accidental may be
notated explicitly, or the piece may be atonal. |
|
It is very important to memorize the order and arrangement of sharps and flats
for all keys. This is part of the basic musical language.
But instead of memorizing without thinking is not a good way to learn. I
strongly recommend you to take a look at the
Circle of Fifths and Fourths article. It will help your understanding and memorizing of Key
Signatures.
|
|
| As mentioned above, key signatures can appear in other
parts of a score, usually after a double bar. There is a small sample below for
Bb To Eb. |
 |
| Musical key signatures are very important,
if you like to learn musical theory, play piano, guitar or any instrument.
You can not separate music theory and key signatures. Please work on it.
|
