Key Signatures
Every song is based on one!
The composer may throw in a few sharp or flat notes to create some tension in the song but it will always return back to the notes from the C scale.
Every song is based on a particular key; it is more like a home to that song. On a music sheet, a key is identified by its key signature - the sharps and flats that are placed right at the beginning of the first bar.
A song could be based on any of the 12 different key signatures; each of these will tell you what sharps or flats will be used in the song.
| Key Signatures | |
|---|---|
| G Major / E Minor | F Major / D Minor |
 |
 |
Why so many keys?
There are 12 different keys - each for the 7 white keys (C D E F G A B) and the 5 black keys (their sharps and flats). Though a song's overall structure does not change irrespective of which key it is based on, every key has its own feel and a range of sound which can be used by the composer. Based on that a composer chooses a key signature which he/she feels will be the best fit for the song.
Transposing
Composers and performers find keys very useful because it helps them to change the range of the sound. For example, if a singer has a limited range and cannot sing high notes but at the same time his/her tone quality is unique which the composer wants to use, the composer can change the song to a lower key to accommodate the singer's sound range. This is a win-win situation for both the composer as well as the singer. By the way, changing the key of a song is also known as “Transposing”.
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