"Key Signatures Overview"
What the 'Keys' are
All About
 Many music students struggle with key
signatures,
however, over time they eventually learn the them and the
associated scales.
At the workshop we promote an easy way to
develop the changes in keys and then how to remember the key names.
This
helps to put the foundation in place so that when you run across a new
key you are well ahead of the pack when dealing with your new
song.
The
steps to be taken are:
-
Begin with some basic definitions,
-
Review of the master staff and how keys are
shown,
-
Show you how to create a simple method so that
you can learn how to build the keys,
From this we will then go into 'learning it' mode and actually work
through all the sharp and flat keys.
Starting Off - Definitions
So let's get started.
One of the first things we need to consider is what are our
definitions. A quick review of how things you should already know will
help.
Note
that there are many references to a keyboard because of the black and
white keys are one of the most recognized visuals when studying music.
You should know about note
names and what
are sharp
(#) and
flat (b) symbols. As well how the sharp and flat symbols are
used.
You should be familiar with the master
staff
and intervals.
You can review these music theory elements by clicking on the links or
the navigation bar.
Key Names
The other thing you should be aware of is that the
note names are used to state the keys. These few things are
the overview to let you get into the keys.
-
Keys
with Sharps have a simple note name like
G, D, or A for example.
-
The exception is for C sharp (C#), and F Sharp
(F#), note how these are the first to black keys of each group.
-
For Flat signatures
- only the key of
F does not start on the name of a
flat key.
- Flat keys all start on the flat note such as
Bb, Eb, or Db.
These are general naming
characteristics to keep in mind as
you learn about the keys. Review them from time to time as you
progress through the learning steps.
Music Theory - Key Characteristics
-
Key changes use the Major Scale for
base definitions.
-
Minor
Scales are related to the Major Scale by a minor 3rd down.
-
Chords for each key signature are created from
the major scale.
-
By adding a sharp to the key name it will
increase
the
scale and chords by a half step ( Primarily used with minor keys,
although principle can be applied to major keys)
-
Adding a flat to the key name
will decrease the
scale and chords by a half step
-
To add another sharp or
flat is done by going 'up a fifth' or
'down a fourth'. This is also known as the circle of fifths.
(Up a 5th - C to G, Down a fourth C to G)
- Alternately 'down a fifth' or 'up a fourth'
will
allow the formation of a flat key.
These are broad statements and are not necessarily true to
academic teachings, however, they are ways to look at the key
signatures that apply a practical application of how to
quickly
and easily learn key signatures.
Putting Sharps or Flats on the
Master Staff
We use the master staff to show
sharps or flats. The picture here shows how
three sharps and four flats are shown on the master staff.
Sharps & Flats Define
Keys
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At this point only notice that the sharps and
flats are
similar in pattern on both of the staves and they actually occupy the
same note names in both the treble (G) clef and the bass (F) clef.
In this case for the sharps - in order: F#, C#,
and G# and flats Bb, Eb, Ab, and Db.
It's hard
to wait but the patterns you will see are going to be really helpful in
working with key signatures.
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