It has been said that a musical key is a song’s ‘home’. I interrupt this to mean that each song has its own scale and a unique set of sharps and flats, in which the song ‘resides’. Understanding how these sharps and flats relate to one another is the foundation of music.
In this article, I will discuss music keys and how they relate to different Scales and the Circle of Fifths. So, if you are ready to what music keys are and how they relate to piano playing, then let’s get started…
Keyboard Notes for Beginners
Piano keys have identifying ‘names’, just like you and me! If you would like more information on naming or recognizing piano keys, then please to refer to the following article on how to learn piano notes quickly.
However, if you are ready to learn the different keys (scales) for songs in more detail, then please continue to read onward…
What do Music Keys Mean?
A musical key is a set of instructions on how to play a song. It is the foundation on which the song is built. The keys represent the scale a song is based upon, the sharps and flats used and the ‘home note’ which is the ‘heart’ of the song! There is a musical key for each note (A, B, C, D, E, F, and G). In other words, music key means in what scale you should play the song. It contains the information such as b or # and by counting them you will know to which scale song each corresponds to.
What are the Different Scales on a Piano?
The two most commonly used scales are the Major scale and the Minor scale. Others include the Chromatic, Pentatonic, Arabic and Jazz scales, just to name a few. There are many other scales but for the purpose of this article, we will discuss the Major and Minor scales only.
It is important to note that intervals and steps associated with each scale are always the same. This is very helpful when you are first learning to play the piano. If you know these intervals, then there is no need to memorize each and every scale! The Major scale is often equated to a Diatonic scale, in that it is constructed from a combination of whole and half steps. This is contrary to a Chromatic scale, which is made up of only half steps.
Understand the Names
The chart below contains scales with two names divided by a slash, to show that they can be played in two different keys (such as C# and Db). The notes on the keyboard are still the same, however. For Example, C#, D#, F, F#, G#, A#, B#, C# and Db, Eb, F, Gb, Ab, Bb, C, Db (as in C# / Db scales) are the same notes but written differently. In some cases, there are double-sharps (for example, F##) that may look strange at first glance.
This is also true when it comes to piano. For example, C# and Db sound the same because they represent the same key on the keyboard. On other instruments, they may sound slightly different. This is due to the type of tuning system used or the different technique by which it is played – take the violin, for example.
Piano Major Scales
There are 12 Major scales. Below is a chart for Major scales, with fingerings on how to play each. The pink color is for the right hand and mint color for left. The fingering chart, showing how each finger of the right and left hand is numbered, can be found at the end of this article.
Sharps
Flats
Here are scales with flats:
Piano Minor Scales
- The Natural Minor scale
- The Melodic Minor scale
- The Harmonic Minor scale
Natural Minor Scales
Here are pictures and notes of scales as well as a chart of all Minor Natural scales.
Melodic Minor Scales
The Melodic Minor scale has the sixth and seventh notes raised a semi-step, which differs from the Natural Minor scale. This scale is also some unique in that it can be played differently, from Ascending to Descending order. When you ascend the scale, you are using the Melodic Minor scale, but when descending the scale, you are using the Natural Minor scale. It will look like this:
Ascending: A, B, C, D, E, F#, G#, A
Descending: A, G, F, E, D, C, B, A
Harmonic Minor Scales
The Harmonic Minor scale is one of three minor scales in music. The other two include the Natural Minor scale and the Melodic Minor scale. The sound of the Harmonic scale is often characteristic of Middle Eastern-style music.
The Harmonic Minor scale differs from the Natural Minor scale with its sharpened seventh note. Consequently, this Minor scale is not played in the same manner as the relative Major scale.
What are the 12 Keys of Music – List of Music Keys
Below is a list of the major keys used in music:
C – 0 # C – 0b
G – 1# F – 1b
D – 2# Bb – 2b
A – 3# Eb – 3b
E – 4# Ab – 4b
B – 5# Db – 5b
F# – 6# Gb – 6b
C# – 7# Cb – 7b
There is no need to memorize all of the keys. The trick is to learn the Circle of Fifths and understand how to use it. The Circle of Fifths is a diagram that outlines the twelve tones of the Chromatic scale, in relation to their corresponding key signatures and their associated major and minor keys.
This diagram represents ‘fifths’ which are musical intervals. Each note on the circle is exactly a fifth apart, as you move clockwise in the circle for sharps or counterclockwise for flats.
Circle of Fifths
The Circle of Fifths was created by Nikolai Diletski in the late 1670’s. It was part of a composition called the Grammatika and was originally designed to help musicians better understand Western-style polyphonic compositions. It was improved later improved upon by Johann David Heinichen in 1728, with the above pictoral representing the modern version often used today.
It is easy to count sharps and flats using the Circle of Fifths, with no memorizing required! Please see below for a step-by-step explanation:
Sharps
Step 1
- Start with middle “C”. The C key has 0 number of sharps or flats.
- Find a “fifth” (Fifth is an interval of 5 tones between two keys).
- The fifth distance from C is G. You add 1 sharp. So G-Major has 1 sharp
Step 2
- Add one entire tone first C. You will end up with D. Add 1 more sharp. Last was G-Major with 1 sharp, we are now adding 1 more sharp so you end up with 2 sharps. Therefore, D-Major has 2 sharps in total.
- Add 1 tone to G, you end up with A. Add 1 sharp – so 2+1 now you have 3 sharps. Therefore A-Major has 3 sharps.
Step 3
Keep adding 1 tone (1 tone is 2 semitones) on each side.
So, D plus 1 tone is E.
We end up back at previous step with 3 sharps.
Add 1 more sharp to it so now we have 3+1 = 4 sharps.
E-Major has 4 sharps.
On the other end, a distance of 1 tone from A is B. Add 1 sharp more – so 5 sharps. B-Major has 5 sharps.
Step 4
Now, this step is a little tricky! Remember that we are adding an entire tone on each side (2 semitones).
In the previous step, we finished on E and B.
Add one entire tone to E – you end up with F#. Add # to the last number of sharps, which was 5 for B-Major so now you have 6 for F#-Major.
And the last one is C# – Major – one tone higher than B. It has 7 sharps.
Flats
Step 1
The same concept applies to flats, but in the opposite direction (mirrored). So, from C down Fifth is F.
Step 2
Add 1 tone to each of the previous keys. Therefore, 1 tone (2 semitones) step down from C is B♭. And 1 tone step down from F is E♭.
Now, C has 0♭, next is F with one flat, consecutively B♭ has 2 flats and E♭ has 3 flats. Can you see the pattern?
Step 3
Now we add another whole tone from our last result. So, from B♭ tone down is A♭, and from E♭ is D♭.
Step 4
The last step is to add an entire tone from the last results – A♭ and D♭.
So from A♭, the entire tone down is G♭, and from D♭, the entire tone down is C♭.
How to Remember Key Signatures?
I can remember all of the key signatures because I was taught this method in school. However, you do not need to memorize any of this and you will still be able to play without getting lost! There is a very easy way to do this. Work smarter not harder, right! Here is how you do it. Simply remember the following mnemonic: Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle.
For the sharps, it goes like this:
Sharps
Flats
For flats, the order is reversed and it goes like this:
Another way to remember the sharps and flats in order is by learning their notation or location along the staff.
Flat Key Signatures:
To learn key signatures, begin with notes B and E. Then, step down from B, which is on the line next to field A. Now, step down again from E, which is on the field next line – D. Then, continue stepping down from A, which is on the next field down, to note G. From the line above D to C, finish the entire process by stepping down from a line G to field F. Now, you have all seven flats.
Sharp Key Signatures
To learn sharp key signatures, start with F on the line and C on the field. The direction is opposite to that of flat key signatures. Flats are stepping whereas sharps are stepping up. So, starting with note F, step from the line to the first field and land on note G. Now, is note C’s turn. Step from the field to a line and end up on note D. Then, on the opposite side, finish on G note. Next, is A note on the line, but to simplify the notation, it is moved an octave lower. For notation purpose, you need not show the sharps in all possible locations, just one (A) as it pertains to all of the notes. It really doesn’t matter if it noted an octave below. Then, continue with D on the line. Go from D to next field, which is E. Then, on the other end, go from, A (on the field) to note B (on the line).
Relative Keys – Major and Minor
Relative keys have the same notes and can be found on all Major and Natural Minor scales. C Major is relative to A Minor, G Major is relative to E Minor and F Major is relative to D Minor. Below is a list of all relative keys:
- C♭ – A♭m
- G♭ – E♭m
- D♭ – B♭m
- A♭ – Fm
- E♭ – Cm
- B♭ – Gm
- F – Dm
- C – Am
- G – Em
- D – Bm
- A – F#m
- E – C#m
- B – G#m
- F# – D#m
- C# – A#m
You do no need to memorize all relative keys! If you want to know the relative minor, just go to the sixth degree in the major scale or step down 3 semitones.
So, for example, let’s take a look at C Major. Six tones up from C is A, and three semitones down from C is also A. No matter which technique you decide to use, you will end up with the same result. Personally, I like the technique of using three semitones down, as it is less to count.
Although the notes are the same, there is a difference between the two relative keys. The ‘tonic’ or first tone in the scale is different and therefore leads to different sounds. If you play in the A Minor, you will get a sad, almost melancholy sound as comparable to C Major.
Piano Finger Chart – Numbering fingers for each hand
Left hand: start with the thumb as an number 1, ascending to the left
Right hand: start also with the thumb and ascending to the right (mirrored situation)
Conclusion
In conclusion, a musical key is a set of instructions on how to play a song. It is the foundation on which a song is built, just like a house, which is why it is sometimes referred to as a song’s ‘home’.
There are twelve possible keys that any song can be played in. These are directly related to the twelve notes on the piano keyboard. It is possible to play any song with any one of these twelve notes as the tonal center or ‘home note’.
Learning the Circle of Fifths is a great way to familiarize yourself with the twenty-four major and minor keys used in music, with no memorizing required! Once you have mastered ‘the holy grail’ of music, you can play any song with confidence. I strongly recommend learning this diagram.
Now, off you go to practice the piano. Good luck with your future musical endeavors. And remember, “The piano ain’t got no wrong notes” – Thelonius Monk (the late American Jazz pianist and composer).
