Key Signatures are all those sharps (#) and flats (b) you see following the treble clef and bass clef symbols either on or between the staff line(s). The number of sharps or flats tell you what “key” a piece of music is in.
For example, if there are no sharps or flats on the treble or bass clefs, the music piece is in the key of “C”. You will remember from your study of piano scales that a C major scale is all white keys, no sharps or flats.
For another example let’s say that there was a sharp symbol (#) where the F & C notes are located. This would mean the music piece was in the key of “D”. Again, refresh your memory on piano scales, the D major scale is composed of D, E, F#, G, A, B, C#, D (octave).
Below I have included two graphics. The first shows the key signatures for all the Major Keys and relative Minor Keys.
Study and learn to recognize these when you are viewing a particular piece of sheet music. The second table below list out in order, the sharps and flats notated on the key signature graphics.
This table is for reference only as you need to recognize by the signature(s) what key a piece of music is written in.
| Key | Number of Sharps | Name of Sharps |
|---|---|---|
| C Major/A Minor | 0 | N/A |
| G Major/E Minor | 1 | F# |
| D Major/B Minor | 2 | F#, C# |
| A Major/F# Minor | 3 | F#, C#, G# |
| E Major/C# Minor | 4 | F#, C#, G#, D# |
| B Major/G# Minor | 5 | F#, C#, G#, D#, A# |
| F# Major/D# Minor | 6 | F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E# |
| C# Major/A# Minor | 7 | F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#, B# |
| Key | Number of Flats | Name of Flats |
| C Major/A Minor | 0 | N/A |
| F Major/D Minor | 1 | Bb |
| Bb Major/G Minor | 2 | Bb, Eb |
| Eb Major/C Minor | 3 | Bb, Eb, Ab |
| Ab Major/F Minor | 4 | Bb, Eb, Ab, Db |
| Db Major/Bb Minor | 5 | Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb |
| Gb Major/Eb Minor | 6 | Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb |
| Cb Major/Ab Minor | 7 | Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb, Fb |