Activities Hobbies key signature Share PINTEREST Email Print The key signatures of E-flat major and A major. Image © Brandy Kraemer Hobbies Playing Music Playing Piano Music Education Playing Guitar Home Recording Contests Couponing Freebies Frugal Living Fine Arts & Crafts Astrology Card Games & Gambling Cars & Motorcycles Learn More By Brandy Kraemer Updated on 05/24/19 Definition of Key Signature: A key signature is a pattern of accidentals (sharps or flats) at the very beginning of a staff, which represents a song’s key. The key signature comes between the clef and the time signature.A key signature has either sharps or flats, never both. The number of accidentals in a key signature ranges from 0 to 7; C-sharp and C-flat major have seven sharps and flats, respectively, while C major has none.See keynote. Key Signature Accidental Patterns The order of the accidentals written in a key signature is as follows (notice the pattern is simply reversed): Sharps: F# C# G# D# A# E# B#Flats: Bb Eb Ab Db Gb Cb Fb To memorize the pattern of accidentals, try these mnemonic devices: #’s – Fine china gets dirty after eating beets b’s – Bread eaten at dinner gets children full Continue Learning About Key Signatures: How Key Signatures Work The 6 Enharmonic Keys The “Missing” Key Signatures Table of Key Signatures Also Known As: armatura (It)armure (Fr)Vorzeichen (Ger) Pronunciation: kee' ssig-nə-tchər Musical Symbols:■ Staff & Barlines■ The Grand Staff■ Key Signatures■ Time Signatures■ Note Lengths■ Dotted Notes■ Music Rests■ Tempo Commands■ Accidentals■ Articulation■ Dynamics & Volume■ 8va & Octave Commands■ Repeat Signs■ Segno & Coda Signs■ Pedal Marks■ Piano Chords■ Trills■ Turns■ Tremolos■ Glissando■ Mordents Beginner Piano Lessons▪ Notes of the Piano Keys▪ The Point Of Double-Sharps▪ Finding Middle C on the Piano▪ Essential Piano Fingering▪ Comparing Major & Minor ChordsGetting Started on Keyboards▪ Finding the Right Piano Teacher▪ Sitting Correctly at the Keys▪ Playing Piano vs. Electric Keyboard▪ How to Buy a Used PianoPiano Chords▪ Chord Types & Symbols in Sheet Music▪ Root Notes & Chord Inversion▪ Diminished Chords & Dissonance▪ Essential Piano Chord FingeringPiano Care▪ Everyday Piano Care▪ Safely Whiten Your Piano Keys▪ When to Tune a Piano▪ Piano Room Temps & Humidity LevelsPiano Recitals & Performing▪ What to Eat & Drink Before a Performance▪ Concert Etiquette for the Audience▪ Warming Up for a Piano Performance▪ Overcoming Mistakes On Stage♫ Musical Quizzes!● Identify the Piano Keys● Key Signature Quiz Reading Piano Music• Note-Lengths in U.K. & U.S. English• Notes of the Piano Keys• Memorize the Grand Staff Notes• Reading Music RestsPiano Chords• Easy Bass Piano Chords• Chord Types & Symbols• Piano Chord Fingering• Diminished Chords & DissonanceReading Musical Symbols• Note Accents & Articulation Marks• How to Play Dotted Notes• Accidentals & Double-AccidentalsBeginner Piano Lessons• Comparing Major & Minor• Understanding the Key Signature• Types of Barlines• BPM & Tempo Commands• Left Hand Piano Fingering Helpful Info For Owning a PianoHow to Safely Whiten Your Piano KeysLearn ivory-safe methods for brightening up your acoustic piano keys, and find out what you can do to prevent keyboard yellowing.When to Tune a PianoFind out when (and how frequently) you should schedule a professional piano tuning to keep your piano healthy and on-pitch.Easy-to-Spot Signs of Piano DamageBefore you buy or sell an acoustic piano, learn how to assess it for both internal and external damage.Ideal Piano Temp & Humidity LevelsLearn how to maintain sound quality and piano health by monitoring the temperature, humidity, and natural light in your piano room. Illustrated Piano Chords: Abmaj ▪ Abma7 ▪ Abma9 | Abmin ▪ Abm7 ▪ Abm9 | Abdim ▪ Ab°7 | Abaug ▪ Ab+7 | Absus2 ▪ Absus4