Key Signatures
Songs often begin with a chord that corresponds to the song's key. But, not always. When looking at sheet music, read the key from the key signature, not from the first chord. Key signatures for all major keys and their relative minor keys are shown below. In these examples, the time signature is 4/4 time.
Key: C or A minor
No sharps or flats
Keys with sharp notes:
Key: G or E minor
Key: D or B minor
Key: A or F# minor
Key: E or C# minor
Key: B or G# minor
Key: F# or D# minor
Keys with flat notes:
Key: F or D minor
Key: B-Flat or G minor
Key: E-Flat or C minor
Key: A-Flat or F minor
Key: D-Flat or B-flat minor
Key: G-Flat or E-flat minor
