The sharp that is added is a perfect fifth above the previous sharp. The key of E major has four sharps: F♯, C♯, G♯, and D♯:Īre you beginning to see a pattern? Each key moving clockwise adds one sharp to the key signature. The key of A major has three sharps: F♯, C♯, and G♯: The key of D major has two sharps, F♯ and C♯: For example, the key of G major has one sharp, F♯, which we learned a moment ago. When we move clockwise around the circle, we add sharps to the key. If you see a key with zero sharps and zero flats, you can be reasonably sure that the piece of music is in the key of C major. The key of C major has zero sharps and zero flats. The circle of fifths also serves as a logical key signatures chart. So, starting at the 12 o’clock position, we find C. It is easiest at the beginning to think of the circle of fifths like a clock.
#Music keys chart full
Check out this diagram below of the full circle and check out the linked article above if you are unfamiliar with the concept: It is a useful tool that organizes all 12 pitches around a circle so that each pitch is a perfect fifth apart. The circle of fifths is sort of like a musical color wheel. The order of keys follows the circle of fifths. Notice how the key signature with the flat sits in a different position on the staff than the sharp? This is because there is a progressive order to the keys. Sharps and flats not marked in the key signature are called accidentals. Of course, the song may have more flats or sharps in it, but those will all be marked. If you see a key, like the one above, with a B♭ in it, that means every B note will be flat, unless it is marked with the natural symbol. Same thing goes for a key signature with a flat. 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.
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