How To Tell What Major Key A Song Is In Quickly & Easily

Key signatures are a type of musical notation thatas it relates to the key signatures, rules that go beyond
indicate which key the song is to be played in.rote memorization. If there is more than one flat, the
But key signatures, despite the name, are not thekey is the note on the second to last flat. If there are
same thing as key. Key signatures are simplyany sharps at all, the key is a half step up from the
notational devices; just as a note is the notational namelast one noted. F major, a key frequently found in
for a pitch, key signatures are the notational names forbeginning sheet music, only has one flat (B), and C
keys. It is what it says it is: a signature, a simple piecemajor has no sharps or flats at all. Key signatures,
of information that tips you off to the physical formwhen viewed in light of these rules, are much easier
(the key) to be played.for beginners to digest, ensuring that a proper
What does it mean to be "in the key of F", or "in theknowledge of key signatures is on its way through the
key of Bb"?door.
It means that the composer based the composition onOne fact that most people don't realize is that sharps
the scale of F (which has 1 flat in it), or the scale of Bband flats always occur in the same order:
(which has 2 flats in it).The order of the flats is B, E, A, D, G, C, F.
Key signatures appear right after the clef (before theThe order of the sharps is just the opposite -- F, C, G,
time signature) and show a sharp or flat on the line orD, A, E, B.
space corresponding to the note to be altered. KeySo if there is one flat in the key signature, it is always
signatures placed at the beginning of songs will carryB. If there are two flats in the key signature, they are
through the entire song, unless other key signaturesalways B and E. Three flats are always B, E, and A.
are noted after a double bar, canceling out the first.Four flats in a key signature spell the word BEAD. And
For instance, it's entirely possible to start a song in theso on.
key of F but end it in the key of E flat; it all depends onIt's the same in sharps, too, except backward. If there
the key signatures and where they're placedis one sharp in a key signature, it is always F. Two
throughout the song (a key signature can change atsharps in a key signature are always F and C. Three
any point). Accidentals can also show up throughout aare F, C, and G. And so on. So once you have
song and only once or twice flatten or sharpen a notememorized the order of the flats, all you have to do is
that was not previously indicated; this cancels out theapply the rule mentioned earlier: the next to the last flat
key signatures, as well, but only temporarily, for as longis the name of the key. For example, if you have four
as the accidental lasts.flats in a key signature, they are Bb, Eb, Ab, Db. The
Beginners just learning to read music often have alast flat is D, so the next to the last flat is A. So the
hard time with key signatures because the key itself iskey is Ab.
not expressly written, and it's sometimes difficult toWith sharps, just mentally go up 1/2 step from the last
remember what goes where. Key signatures with fivesharp, and that is the key. For example, if a key has 4
flats or sharps have been known to terrorize newsharps, they are F#, C#, G#, D#. One-half step above
musicians -- how in the world, they think, are weD# is E, so the key is E.
supposed to remember all these note changes whileSo there you have it. Memorize the order of the flats
we're playing the song?and sharps and those two simple rules, and you'll be
It's obviously possible, though, and there are some rulesable to identify what major key any song is in quickly
that can help beginners identify and remember the keyand easily.