One of the most important aspects in music is the Key Signature(s). They tell you : How many sharp or flats in the piece of music, but more importantly what the sharps or flats are. The key signature comes immediately after the clef but BEFORE the time signature.
This example shows the key signature of E Major. Sharp Key Signatures The order of the sharps beginning with F rise in perfect 5ths. F.....5th.....C.....5th.....G.....5th.....D.....5th.....A.....5th.....E.....5th.....B An easy way to remember this is the sentence : Father Christmas Gave Dad An Electric Blanket To find the key signature of a Major key remember that the last sharp will be the leading note.
The last sharp (leading note) is D sharp, therefore the key is either E Major or its relative minor three semitones below (c sharp minor). Flat Keys The order of flats beginning with B goes down in perfect 5ths. B.....5th.....E.....5th.....A.....5th.....D.....5th.....G.....5th.....F An easy way to remember this is the sentence : Blanket Exploded And Dad Got Cold Feet To find the key signature of a Major flat key remember that this will be the last flat but one.
The last but one flat is Ab therefore the keywill be either Ab Major or its relative minor (f minor). The key note of a minor key is always the same as the 6th degree of it's relative major.
|
