If a piece (or a section) of music is in one key signature and changes to another there is a proper procedure to follow to indicate this change.

First, a double bar line is drawn. Next, for any sharp or flat previously indicated to be removed, there is a natural sign placed on that line or space of the music staff. In the example, we are in the key of G major with it’s one sharp indicated on the F line. But then we change back to C major (which has no sharps or flats in its key signature). This is indicated by placing a natural sign on the F line.

Then, if a new key signature requires sharps or flats, then those notes are now to be made sharp or flat. This is done by indicating the new sharps or flats on the appropriate line or space of the music staff. In this example we change from G major to F major (with one flat on B), like this:

Understanding Music Notation Lesson 14 – Changing Key Signatures

Christopher Schlegel

Tutorial 018 - Learning To Read Music (Page 14 of 17)

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