Key signatures in music

Understanding Key Signatures in Music

Musical key signatures are not all that difficult to understand when put into perspective. Just like a scale, music notes go up and down but in half steps instead of full.

Natural notes appear by themselves in written music. But sharps and flats have their own symbols:

Key signature - sharp key

Sharp

Key signature - flat key

Flat

On a keyboard, a sharp note is the black key that's one note higher than its natural counterpart (the white key). A flat is a black key that's one note lower than its natural counterpart.

When sharps and flats are written into music as needed (next to the notes), they're called accidentals. But sometimes they are shown at the beginning of a stave, right after the clef. In this case, they indicate a key signature.

Key signatures show which notes are to be played or sung as sharps or flats throughout the song. So if there's a sharp sign on "F" and one on "C", every "F" and "C" note throughout the song should be played as a sharp. There will be no "F" or "C" natural unless specifically indicated by a natural symbol:

Key signature - natural key

Natural

Key signature - major music scale

Key signatures (in this case, D Major) indicate the general tone of a song, as well as where its basic scale begins and ends. For example, a song in the key of D is based on the D Major scale, which begins and ends with "D" -- with "F" and "C" played sharp throughout. However, the same song can be written and played in different keys.

More Great Music Reading Tutorials and Tips

Learn Notes and Clefs - Tips on how to learn the names of music notes and finding the clef.

Learning Piano Notes - Reading music is one thing but playing it on a keyboard or piano is another

Learn to Read Music Free
Music Articles
Listen to a Before and After Singer
Singing Tips by Email
About Us

Free music tutorial online

Other music sites of interest

| Karaoke Singing |