Three symbols
- ♯ Sharp: raises a half step, one fret up.
- ♭ Flat: lowers a half step, one fret down.
- ♮ Natural: cancels the previous sharp or flat.
G, G sharp, G flat, G natural
An accidental written in the music applies to that note until the end of the measure. At the next bar line it’s gone, unless it’s in the key signature.
The key signature
The accidentals right after the clef form the key signature. They apply to the whole piece, in every octave. If there’s a ♯ on the F line, every F becomes F sharp, even the low one.
The order never changes. Sharps: F C G D A E B (“Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle”). Flats: the reverse, B E A D G C F (“Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles’ Father”).
Sharps: last sharp + a half step = major key. Last one is F♯? Key of G. Flats: the second-to-last flat is the key. B♭ and E♭? Key of B♭. A single flat is always F major. Each key signature also serves a minor key (the relative minor). If the piece ends on the minor’s note, it’s in minor.
Key signature decoder
Major key: G major · relative minor: E minor (Em)
The link to chord charts: a key signature with 1 sharp and a chart full of G, C, D and Em? G major. Ends on Em? E minor.
Read with a key signature
The Minuet in G has F sharp in the key signature. Notice that no F has the symbol next to it, yet they all sound sharp.
Melody reader
Minuet in G (Petzold)
Goal: turn off "Names" and "String & fret" and still play it.
Quick check
Get every answer right to finish. Mistakes are part of it: read the explanation and try again.
1. A key signature with 2 sharps (F♯ and C♯): which major key?
2. A natural sign is used to...
3. A sharp written in the middle of a measure lasts until...