9 Intro to Key Signatures

A key signature is a series of sharps or flats presented at the beginning of a section or piece of music that identifies the notes and pitches most likely to be found in the music. The major key signatures reflect the notes and pitches needed to create the major scales.

Figure 9.1 Image description available.
Figure 9.1 [Image description – See Appendix C Figure 9.1]

Rather than placing a sharp or a flat before every F in the key of G major, we can accomplish the exact same sound by placing an F# right beside the clef, creating a key signature.  The scale above and the scale below sound EXACTLY the same.

Figure 9.2 Image description available.
Figure 9.2 [Image description – See Appendix C Figure 9.2]

When a sharp or flat is added to the key signature, it applies to all the notes with the same name, regardless of where they appear on the staff. In the example below, both of the Fs would be F#s.

Image of staff and treble clef. Sharp placed on top line. Two half notes, one on top line (F) and one on bottom space (F).
Figure 9.3

Using a key signature makes reading music much easier. Examine the following short example:

Image of staff, treble clef and 4/4 time signature. Notes are written with 5 accidentals placed beside notes.
Figure 9.4 In this example, there are multiple sharps added to every measure, making it challenging to read.
Figure 9.5 Image description available.
Figure 9.5 In this second example, the sharps needed are all part of the key signature (E major), making the music easier to read. [Image description – See Appendix C Figure 9.5]

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Introduction to Music Theory and Rudiments Copyright © 2024 by Devin Hart is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.