Key Signatures Reference Material

Key Signatures

Scales and Modes

Chord Types and Symbols

How to Transpose

The key signature indicates the tonal center of a piece and which notes are included in the respective scale. Below is a diagram showing the key signatures of the twelve Major keys and their relative minor keys.

Sharps and flats are never mixed in a key signature, and their order is always the same (with Bb or F# appearing first, for example).

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Key Name	Key Signature
C Major / A minor	(No sharps or flats)
F Major / D minor	Bb
Bb Major / G minor	Bb, Eb
Eb Major / C minor	Bb, Eb, Ab
Ab Major / F minor	Bb, Eb, Ab, Db
Db Major / Bb minor	Bb. Eb, Ab, Db, Gb
Gb Major / Eb minor	Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb
B Major / G# minor	F#, C#, G#, D#, A#
E Major / C# minor	F#, C#, G#, D#
A Major / F# minor	F#, C#, G#
D Major / B minor	F#, C#
G Major / E minor	F#

	Basics of Music Notation

Below is an example of the treble and bass clefs (linked together as a grand staff), including a key signature and time signature, as they would appear in music notation for piano.

The key signature specifies the necessary accidentals (sharps or flats) for the key. There's no need to write further sharps in the piece if we stay within these scales.

On each staff line, reading from left to right, are:

Treble clef (upper line) or bass clef symbols
Key signature of A Major/ F# minor indicating that all F's, C's and G's are to be played as sharps
Time signature (in this case a 'C' indicating 'common time' or 4/4)
A Major scale in eighth notes
A Major triad (3-note chord) in whole notes
F# natural minor scale in eighth notes
F# minor triad in whole notes

	The following example shows the key signature of Ab Major/ F minor including the Major and minor scales in those keys:

	Below is an example of the key signature and scales of D Major/ B minor:

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