piano theory question?

Question

in the beginning where the time signature goes, what does 4 flat symbols mean or the 3 sharp symbol

also does someone know a good site that can teach you all the symbols used in piano

Answer 1

The number of flats or sharps tell you what the key signature is. Each major key also has a relative minor. They are as follows - No sharps/flats = C major/A minor, 1 sharp = G major/E minor, 2 sharps = D major/B minor, 3 sharps = A major/F# minor, 4 sharps = E major/C# minor, 5 sharps = B major, G# minor, 6 sharps = F# major/ D# minor, 7 sharps = C# major, A# minor.
1 flat = F major/ D minor, 2 flats = Bb Major/G minor, 3 flats = Eb major/C minor, 4 flats = Ab major/ F minor, 5 flats = Db major/ Bb minor, 6 flats = Gb major/Eb minor, 7 flats = Cb major/Ab minor.
The order in which the sharps appear in the key signature is this: FCGDAEB
The order in which the flats appear in the key signature is this: BEADGCF

Using this you can work out that 4 flats means Ab major or F minor and that the flats in the key signature are BEAD, also 3 sharps means A major or F# minor and the sharps in the key signature are FCG.

Hope this is clear for you!!

Answer 2

Specifically, four flats indicates the key of "A flat major" or its relative minor key, "F minor."

Three sharps would indicate the key of "A Major" or its relative minor "F sharp minor."

You can probably tell whether the composer means the Major key or its minor relative by the first or last chord in the tune. If the first and / or last chord is Major, it is probably the Major key.

The reason I say "you can PROBABLY tell" is because key signatures are ambiguous. Three sharps can be EITHER A Major or F# minor. Four flats can mean EITHER Ab Major OR F# minor.

Unless the composer states his intended key in the title as classical composers sometimes do, we cannot know for certain until we examine the "tonal center" of the tune.

Compositions do not always start on the Major or minor chord that the key signature indicates, but they usually do. So that would be the easiest answer; Look at the first chord.

If it is Ab major, you probably are in that key.

If you need to know more about this subject, a good teacher is the best way to learn!

Best Wishes!

Answer 3

This site will give you a full course in music theory. Click on the "music theory & history" link. You can scroll down and pick whatever area you need to study. It is very complete. For instance Lesson 9 covers key signatures. Select only what you need to learn.

http://www.dolmetsch.com/ourresources.htm

Enjoy!!

Musician,composer,teacher.

Answer 4

For key signatures ,see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Key_signature

For clef, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clef

For time signature, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_signature

Answer 5

Try musictheory.net