However, for the rest of this post, we will focus only on the major key signatures and not the minor key signatures.īasically think about it like this: if you see a piece of music with an F♯ in the key, that means that all the F notes in the song will be sharp, unless they are marked with the natural (♮) symbol. Each key has a major and minor component connected by the concept of relative major/relative minor. This particular key belongs to the keys of G major and E minor. Pay attention to the location of the key on the staff: Here is an example of a key signature with a sharp in it. No credit card details required Start your piano journey now! What are key signatures?Ī key signature is a collection of sharp (♯) and flat (♭) symbols that sits between the clef and the time signature in a piece of music. Key signatures can change in the middle of a piece of music.The order of sharps and flats in key signatures follows the circle of fifths.The key signature sits between the clef and the time signature in written music.Key signatures clue us in to the set of notes that will be used in the song.Key signatures are a shorthand method to notate sharps and flats.

If you see a key signature with a single F♯, you can bet that the key will be G major or E minor, as those are the two signatures with an F♯.Īll of this may seem a little confusing at this point, but there is an easily understood system behind all of it. Key signatures also clue us in to the key of the song, or the main set of pitches that will be used. If we have a melody with many F♯ notes in it, we can use the key signature with F♯ in it and save ourselves the hassle. By using a key, we do not need to notate a flat or sharp symbol everytime one occurs. They serve as a sort of shorthand method for notating sharps and flats. Key signatures serve a few important functions. Music key signatures are an important tool to unlock the secrets of written music.

Flat symbol in music