Reading and Understanding Music

KEY SIGNATURES in MAJOR KEYS

A key signature is a sign which indicates the key (the tonal centre or key note) of a piece of music. It consists of a number of sharps ( ) or flats ( ) at the beginning of each staff, immediately after the treble or bass clef. Every major key has a related minor key with the same key signature. The following steps will help you identify the key of the piece.

If there are sharps in the key signature:

The last sharp is the "leading note" (the note just under the "tonic note" or key note).

Therefore, you need to go up one semitone to the next line (or space) to locate the Tonic.

For example, in this key signature the last sharp is D# so we move from the 2nd top line to the note E on the top space. Therefore the key is E major.

Be careful of F# major and C# major

  1. The last sharp in F# major is the note E# (which is the same sounding pitch as the note F). Therefore, one semitone higher takes us to the note F# (not F) and the key will be F# major.

  2. The last sharp in C# major is the note B# (which is the same sounding pitch as the note C). Therefore, one semitone higher takes us to the note C# (not C) and the key will be C# major.

If there are flats in the key signature:

The second last flat is the "tonic note" or key note.

For example, in this key signature the second last flat is and so the key is major.

There are two exceptions to the above "Rules".

  1. If there are NO sharps or flats in the key signature, the key will be C major.
  2. If there is only one flat in the key signature, the key will be F major.

Click here to download PDF for printing

Circle of fifths showing major and minor keys and their signatures

KEY SIGNATURES in MINOR KEYS

Every major key has a relative minor key with the same key signature. The minor keynote is always three semitones below the major keynote (a minor 3rd interval).

Minor keys usually have a sadder, more sombre character to the music.

There are 3 types of minor scales. They are the natural minor scale, the harmonic minor scale, and the melodic minor scale. Melodies can be based on any of the minor scales.

IDENTIFYING A MINOR KEY FROM THE KEY SIGNATURE

If there are sharps in the key signature:

The tonic (or keynote) will be one tone down from the last sharp. For example, B minor . Always check whether the tonic note is a sharp or a natural (the sharp will appear in the key signature). For example, C# minor This tonic note is not C natural because there is a C sharp in the key signature.

If there are flats in the key signature:

The tonic (or keynote) will be 2 steps (letter names) above the last flat. The interval is known as a minor third. Always check whether the tonic note is a flat or a natural (the flat will appear in the key signature). For example, B flat minor . This tonic note is not B natural because there is a B flat in the key signature.

Copyright Notice

These linked exercises were developed by Hedley Harwood for the Buderim Male Choir. Licence is granted to other Choirs to use this information for private study purposes, provided the Buderim Male Choir and Hedley Harwood are acknowledged as the source of this material and as copyright owners. This information is not to be used for commercial purposes.