FREE ONILNE LESSONS (Key Signatures)
Every song has a key, just like every song is on a certain scale. When a song consists of notes from a particular scale, it is usually said to be written in the key, which has the same name as that scale. For instance, if it is in C major scale, it is probably in the key of C.
A song can be played in 12 different keys.
Song example: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (C key)
Try playing the same song in B key. To do so, apply a key transposition from C key > B key.
You learnt earlier that the distance between C and B is a semi-tone apart. To transpose entire song from C key > B key, you have to transpose every note down by a semi-tone.
On written notation, you have to indicate the key signature, which is a collection of sharps # & flats b that is placed at the beginning of each staff. The purpose of a key signature is to help avoid writing many unnecessary accidentals (sharps # & flats b) on the staff.
The B major scale contains 5 sharp (#) notes:
Thus, the key signature of B key will be a set of 5 sharps. (written immediately after the clef)
Song example: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (B key)
Every key signature shares two possible scales, a major scale and its relative minor scale. For instance, a written C key signature on the staff will indicate that the song is either on C major scale or A minor scale.
These are the 12 different key signatures.
