A Key to Music is the Key Signature

Steve Raybine:

Blog #41:

A Key to Music is the Key Signature

What is a key signature? Is it a key with your signature on it--NO, it is not! Does it represent something essential to the music that you are playing--MOST DEFINITELY!

A key signature is placed next to the respective clef signs (treble and bass). Its purpose is to inform you what key you are playing in, which means that there will be a certain number of sharps (#'s) or flats (b's) that you must account for when playing the music (the key of “C” major or its relative minor, “a” minor has no sharps or flats in the key signature). For instance, if there is an f# in the key signature (one sharp), you are playing in the key of “G” major or its relative minor, “e” minor. In addition, with f# clearly indicated within the key signature, whenever you come upon an f within the music, you must play an f#, not an f natural. The only exception to this would be if there was a natural sign next to the f. In this instance, you would play an f natural, not an f#, because a natural sign cancels out the accidental (f#) in that measure only. In the next measure, the f# is restored because it exists within the key signature.

When you are playing any piece of music, first CHECK THE KEY SIGNATURE to find out if there are any sharps or flats that you need to play--don’t keep playing f natural when you are supposed to play an f #or alternatively, play a b natural when you should play a b flat. A key signature exists so that you don’t have to read endless sharp or flat signs in every measure--it would become tiresome to your eyes and frustrating to you. The key signature is an efficient system, which enables the music to be free of needless symbols. So, be tuned into the right key--the KEY SIGNATURE!

Copyright Steve Raybine 2004

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