The key signature tells you which notes should be played as sharps or flats throughout a piece of music and therefore what key the piece should be played in.

The examples above show how the keys of G major and F major are represented.

You learn about four keys at National 5:

• C major
• F major
• G major
• A minor

These are only a few of the more common examples of musical keys. There are many more keys that you may be required to learn and play a piece of music in.

Accidentals

When a composer wants to include a one-off sharp or flat, or cancel one that is in the key signature, they use accidentals.

Accidentals only apply to one bar of the music, not the whole piece.