Key Signatures
The key of C major was discussed in Lesson 6. Songs that use notes from the C major scale are said to be in the key of C. Similarly songs that use notes from the G major scale are said to be in the key of G major. Songs in the key of G will contain F sharp (F#) notes.
Instead of writing a sharp sign before every F note on the staff, it is easier to write just one sharp sign after each clef. This means that all the F notes on the staff are played as F#, even though there is no sharp sign written before them. This is called the key signature. Tab notation does not use a key signature.
C Major Key Signature
The C major scale contains no sharps or flats, therefore the key signature for the key of C major contains no sharps or flats.
G Major Key Signature
The G major scale contains one sharp, F#, therefore the key signature for the key of G major contains one sharp, F#.
Waltzing Matilda is the most popular and well known Australian folk song. It is in * time in the key of G major. Remember that the key signature indicates that all F notes on the staff are played as F#.
Here is another song in the key of G Major. It is played twice using different octaves of the G major scale. Try doing this with other melodies you know.
