Accidentals βΊ Learn
Key signatures
A key signature is the group of sharps or flats at the start of each line of music. It tells you which notes to play sharp or flat all the way through, and which key the music is in. There are 15 major key signatures: C with none, seven with sharps and seven with flats.
Sharp keys
No sharps or flats Β· relative minor A minor
Fβ― Β· relative minor E minor
Fβ― Cβ― Β· relative minor B minor
Fβ― Cβ― Gβ― Β· relative minor Fβ― minor
Fβ― Cβ― Gβ― Dβ― Β· relative minor Cβ― minor
Fβ― Cβ― Gβ― Dβ― Aβ― Β· relative minor Gβ― minor
Fβ― Cβ― Gβ― Dβ― Aβ― Eβ― Β· relative minor Dβ― minor
Fβ― Cβ― Gβ― Dβ― Aβ― Eβ― Bβ― Β· relative minor Aβ― minor
Flat keys
Bβ Β· relative minor D minor
Bβ Eβ Β· relative minor G minor
Bβ Eβ Aβ Β· relative minor C minor
Bβ Eβ Aβ Dβ Β· relative minor F minor
Bβ Eβ Aβ Dβ Gβ Β· relative minor Bβ minor
Bβ Eβ Aβ Dβ Gβ Cβ Β· relative minor Eβ minor
Bβ Eβ Aβ Dβ Gβ Cβ Fβ Β· relative minor Aβ minor
Reading a key signature quickly
- Sharps: the last sharp is one half step below the key. Last sharp Cβ―? Itβs D major.
- Flats: the second-to-last flat names the key. Bβ Eβ Aβ Dβ? Itβs Aβ major.
- Major or minor? Every signature is shared by a major key and its relative minor (three half steps lower). Look at the first and last notes of the piece to tell which one it is.
The sharps and flats always go in the same order and on the same lines and spaces. See the order of sharps and flats.
Reading about it is a start. Ten minutes of practice a day makes it automatic.
Practice key signatures β