Lesson Two
The objective of this lesson is to locate the key signature correctly in music, describe what a key signature looks like and include the terms flat and sharp, and describe where key signatures are located in music.
![Picture](/uploads/8/9/5/9/8959482/1331247867.jpg)
Flat and Sharp Signs
Great work completing Lesson One! You should now be able to identify a piece of music that is written in your vocal range and that contains at least two key signatures. Locating the key signature can be very tricky so in this lesson you will explore more in depth where key signatures are found in music. You have been briefly exposed to key signatures in choir, but have not had to describe in detail the specific parts of a key signature and what one looks like. In this lesson you will learn where key signatures are located and what they look like.
Before learning about key signatures, it is important to remember two musical terms, flat and sharp. Key signatures are made up of flats and sharps and knowing the difference is very important. Sharp key signatures are identified differently than flat key signatures and this will be discussed in the next lesson. In music, sharp signs resemble a number sign and flat signs appear as an italicized lowercase b.
Before learning about key signatures, it is important to remember two musical terms, flat and sharp. Key signatures are made up of flats and sharps and knowing the difference is very important. Sharp key signatures are identified differently than flat key signatures and this will be discussed in the next lesson. In music, sharp signs resemble a number sign and flat signs appear as an italicized lowercase b.
![Picture](/uploads/8/9/5/9/8959482/574265069.gif?358)
Sharp Key Signatures on Top - Flat Key Signatures on Bottom
Key signatures are always found at the beginning of a piece of music in between the clef and the time signature; remember the diagram from lesson one. However, this is not the only place a performer will find a key signature. When the key signature changes in the song it is referred to as a key change. We will get back to this in a minute, but first it is important to know what key signatures look like and what is included in each key signature.
First, when looking at a key signature you will notice that there are flats or sharps. In a key signature you can have as little as zero or as many as seven flats and sharps. There will never be a key signature that has both flats and sharps. In music, you will either have a flat or sharp key, but never mixed. If there are flats or sharps in the key signature they will be clustered together in a specific order. This will be explained in more detail in the next lesson. For now, it is just important to understand what a key signature looks like and what is included. Although most key signatures have flat or sharp signs it is important to remember they do not need to have either and at times it will look as if there is no key signature. However, the lack of sharps or flats is the actually the key signature. Confused? Don't worry you are on your way to being a master of this stuff!
First, when looking at a key signature you will notice that there are flats or sharps. In a key signature you can have as little as zero or as many as seven flats and sharps. There will never be a key signature that has both flats and sharps. In music, you will either have a flat or sharp key, but never mixed. If there are flats or sharps in the key signature they will be clustered together in a specific order. This will be explained in more detail in the next lesson. For now, it is just important to understand what a key signature looks like and what is included. Although most key signatures have flat or sharp signs it is important to remember they do not need to have either and at times it will look as if there is no key signature. However, the lack of sharps or flats is the actually the key signature. Confused? Don't worry you are on your way to being a master of this stuff!
![Picture](/uploads/8/9/5/9/8959482/1331310579.jpg)
Now that you know what a key signature looks like we are going to look more closely at where they are located in music and why. From your choir experience you should remember that key signatures are always located at the beginning of a piece of music between the clef and the time signature. You reviewed this in the last lesson when the basic parts of music were reviewed. Every piece of music will have at least one key signature and that is the one located at the beginning of the piece. Remember, even if there are no flats or sharps found in between the clef and the time signature a key signature still exists. In the case that flats or sharps are not found you would circle the empty space and explain that the music will not have notes that are flat or sharp. Music does not have to only have one key signature and when a piece of music has more than one key signature the multiple key signatures are called key changes. Although still a key signature, using the terminology of a key change indicates to the performer that the key is changing and to be aware that some notes will change from that point on.
This picture illustrates what a key change looks like in a real piece of music. Notice that the key change demonstrates what notes change from the previous section of music to the new section. Key changes will all appear in this form and can be located anywhere in the music. That means a key change can happen at any point in the music after the initial key has been established at the beginning of the song. You must be constantly on the lookout for a key change in a piece of music because if you miss one you will be singing or playing the wrong notes for the remainder of the piece. Missing a key change will greatly change how the song sounds to the listener so search each piece of music carefully for key changes. A great way to to remind yourself a key change occurs is to circle the new key signature with your pencil.
Now it is time for you to practice! Explore this website and search through the songs provided to locate the key signature and any key changes that occur in the piece. When opening the songs click on the gif file to open as a picture. You may also practice by looking at current choral music being studied in choir or any sheet music you have available. To check your selections refer back to this page and the examples below.
This picture illustrates what a key change looks like in a real piece of music. Notice that the key change demonstrates what notes change from the previous section of music to the new section. Key changes will all appear in this form and can be located anywhere in the music. That means a key change can happen at any point in the music after the initial key has been established at the beginning of the song. You must be constantly on the lookout for a key change in a piece of music because if you miss one you will be singing or playing the wrong notes for the remainder of the piece. Missing a key change will greatly change how the song sounds to the listener so search each piece of music carefully for key changes. A great way to to remind yourself a key change occurs is to circle the new key signature with your pencil.
Now it is time for you to practice! Explore this website and search through the songs provided to locate the key signature and any key changes that occur in the piece. When opening the songs click on the gif file to open as a picture. You may also practice by looking at current choral music being studied in choir or any sheet music you have available. To check your selections refer back to this page and the examples below.