The first key signature for us to consider is the one that we have been using thus far.? The key of C.? There is nothing difficult about this one as there are no sharps or flats in it.? It follows, therefore, that there is no mark at the beginning indicating which notes are sharp or flat.?

The key of C is indicating by leaving out all sharp and flat signs after the Clef.? Any piece written in the key of C can be identified by the absence of sharp or flat signs before the time signature,? like this:?

THE KEY OF C?

Although there are no sharps or flats in this key signature, an occasional note in a piece may still be sharpened or flattened and if that is the case the sharp or flat sign would be written in the bar concerned before the note effected.? It is then treated as discussed in lesson 4.? In this case only the notes in that bar are effected.?

If you now look back over your first piece you will tell at a glance that it has been written in the key of C because there is no key signature after the Clef sign.

SCALES.?

Now, before you screw your nose up, let's find out how scales can be very helpful in understanding key signatures.?

As you learn the various new key signatures I will give you a diagram indicating the notes involved in each particular key.? Now, you are not going to get involved in monotonous and boring scale sequences so relax.? It is, however, essential for you to understand the scales associated with each key signature.? The explanations will be interesting and instructive.? You need not study them at length if you are satisfied with your progress.?

If you know the sequence of the notes involved in each scale it will be easy for you to play any piece of music in any? key.? Knowledge of the scales also helps when learning new chords and is a great aid in adding the extra little twiddly bits that makes your music so much more interesting.

The Meaning Of The Word 'Scale'.?

The word is taken from a Latin word meaning 'a ladder'.? It is a ladder of musical sound on which you progress from one sound to the next in a fixed sequence.?

Are you familiar with the phrase 'Tonic Sol Fah'?? I bet you have heard this before!?

DOH,?? RAY,?? ME,?? FAR,?? SO,?? LA,?? TE,?? DOH.?

If you watched 'A Sound of Music' (and who didn't) you will remember the song:?

??????????????????????????????????? DOH, a deer, a female deer.
??????????????????????????????????? RAY, a drop of golden sun
??????????????????????????????????? ME, a name I call myself
???????????????????????????????????FAR, a long, long way to run
???????????????????????????????????SO, a needle pulling thread
??????????????????????????????????? LA, a note to follow so.
???????????????????????????????? TE, a drink with jam and bread.
???????????????????????????????? That will bring us back to DOH

??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? (Or something like that)

This is Tonic Sol Far.? By singing from low Doh to high Doh a scale is formed and this is what we are going to do but instead of calling the notes Doh Ray Me etc. you will be playing them on your guitar in various keys and giving the notes their correct musical name A, B, C, etc.

The next diagram sets out the scale of C.? All the notes are naturals or whole notes as there are no sharps or flats indicated by the key signature.