Introduction
How often have you looked at a song or classical piece and noticed symbols on the left side of the music? These symbols, which resemble Tic-Tac-Toe marks (#), are called sharps.
Other times, you might spot symbols that look like a small letter "b" (♭), which are known as flats. Sharps and flats represent the black keys on the piano. Every musical key (or scale) contains one or more sharps or flats.
In this article, we won’t dive into identifying all the different keys and scales. Instead, I’ll show you a quick and easy way to identify the key of any song in no time.
Two Things To Memorize
Although the main goal of this article is to show you the system for identifying the key of any song, there are two keys that do NOT work with this system.
Because of this, you need to memorize these two keys.
Rule No. 1-Memorize
The key of C has no sharps and no flats
Rule No. 2-Memorize
The key of F has one flat and that flat is Bb
How to Identify a Key with Sharps
To determine the name of a key containing sharps (♯), focus on the last sharp in the key signature. The last sharp is the one located furthest to the right.
Once you've identified this sharp, move up one half-step (the next note up) to find the name of the key.
For example, if the key signature has three sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯), look at the last sharp—G♯—and go up one half-step. A half-step above G♯ is A, so the key is A Major.
Tip: Sharps are placed on the staff in a zig-zag pattern.
How to Identify a Key with Flats
To determine the name of a key containing flats (♭), look at the second-to-last flat in the key signature. The last flat, located furthest to the right, is not the one you need—it's the flat just before it.
Once you’ve found this flat, you have the name of the key!
For example, if the key signature has three flats (B♭, E♭, A♭), focus on the flat right before the last one—E♭. This means the key is E♭ Major.
Tip: Flats are arranged in a zig-zag pattern on the staff.
What Is the Relative Minor Key?
In music, there are two main types of keys:
Major keys (often described as having a happy sound).
Minor keys (often described as having a sad sound).
Though they sound different, every major key has a relative minor key, and every minor key has a relative major key. The relative minor key starts on the 6th note of the major scale.
For example, in the key of F Major, count up to the 6th note: F-G-A-B♭-C-D. D is the relative minor of F Major. Likewise, if a piece is in D Minor, go to the 3rd note of its scale: D-E-F. F is the relative major of D Minor.
When identifying the key of a piece using sharps (♯) or flats (♭), the rules typically refer to the major key. Instead of using a separate set of rules for minor keys, you only need to determine if the song is in a major key or its relative minor.
3 Ways to Determine Whether a Piece of Music Is in a Major or Minor Key
Listen for the Mood: Pay attention to the overall feel of the music. If it sounds happy and bright, it’s likely in a major key. If it sounds sad or somber, it’s probably in a minor key.
Identify the Possible Keys by the Key Signature: Look at the key signature and determine both the major and relative minor keys. For example, if there are three flats in the key signature, the major key is E♭ Major. Count up to the 6th note of the E♭ scale (C), and you’ll know that C minor is the relative minor.
Check the Final Note or Chord: Go to the end of the piece and observe the last note or chord. If the key signature has three flats, the final note or chord will reveal whether the piece is in E♭ Major or C minor. The last note typically matches the tonic (the first note of the scale) of the key.
Conclusion
Most piano students play popular music, standards from the Great American Songbook, and traditional classical pieces. All of these styles are written in either major or minor keys.
While you can rely on your ear to figure out the notes and play a song, identifying the key of a piece, knowing whether it’s in a major or minor key, and understanding the corresponding scale will greatly improve your playing and musical understanding.
In this article, you’ve learned how to quickly identify the key of any song, including:
C major (and A minor) have no sharps or flats—memorize this.
F major (and D minor) have one flat—memorize this.
To find the name of a key with sharps, locate the last sharp and go up a half-step.
To find the name of a key with flats, look at the flat before the last flat.
Both sharps and flats are placed in a zig-zag pattern on the staff, from left to right.
How to find the relative minor when you know the major key.
How to find the relative major when you know the minor key.
How to determine whether a piece is in a major key or its relative minor.
By mastering these concepts, you'll play with more confidence and have a deeper connection to the music.
Diana Mascari-Piano Teacher for Adults
Diana Mascari has taught piano to hundreds of students for more than 46 years. She is dedicated to enriching her students’ lives by supporting their individual musicality.
She has developed a teaching system called the Transformational Approach to Piano (TAP System). It offers her students colorful musical insights that broaden their experience beyond traditional methods.
Diana holds two Masters of Music degrees from New England Conservatory, taught keyboard harmony to music majors at Boston University, and was the music director of a multicultural Presbyterian Church for four decades.
Diana has performed as a solo jazz pianist as well as with her ensembles at many colleges and jazz clubs throughout New England. Many of these performances featured Diana's jazz compositions.
As a composer, she has explored the intersection of jazz and classical music. Her compositions reflect her deep appreciation for musical structure, enhanced by the spontaneity and emotion of jazz. Each piece has a timeless sense and is designed to move and inspire. Her works have been performed in Europe, Japan and the Eastern United States.
Diana’s vibrant personality infuses her teaching, performing and composing as she inspires piano students to achieve their musical goals.
To Get Her FREE Course: Accompaniment Styles to Energize Your Piano Playing, click here
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