Sheet music

[Ibateur]

Guys/Ladies


Idiot question.

Do the sharp and flat symbols (in sheet music) indicate only the key? or also the scale? I think key only.

Thanks

[funkdubious]

I believe it's the key,but I did music theory a long time ago!

[Rekuss]

I think it's the key matey!The sharps/flats for the scale are added in the bars.

[Wild_Child]

You're both wrong . What you are talking about is the key signature. It is there to indicate the sharps or flats of the main scale (i.e. key) used so you don't have to repeatedly write the accidentals in the stave.

It is NOT the same as a key, but usually indicates as such.

[Rekuss]

Bow down to the theory lord!

[crevis]

I assume you mean the sharps/flats at the start of the score/section.

It indicates the key, if you learn jazz theory then you will occasionally see a blurb underneath saying (for ex)

"Key sig. denotes F Dorian"

[luvuvibanez]

There are the key signatures that assign a sharp or flat to the partiucular space or line on the staff. Also one may sharpen, flatten or naturalize any note they want by addding the respective symbol before the note.

[elcid]

Then again I have read theory books that say key and scale are interchangeble words...

[Wild_Child]

Key and scale can be the same thing if your music is entirely diatonic. I think the word 'key' refers to a more broad basis or 'feel' of the music whereas a scale is a specific group of notes and intervals. If all music was entirely diatonic, you'd never need to write an accidental in the score because the key signature covers them.

There can be more subtle key changes in a piece of music. For example, if you were to change back and forth from natural minor to harmonic minor. Rather than write out a new key signature every time it changes, just notate the raised 7th on the score whenever it occurs. Technically the key would be different to the key signature at the beginning of the stave, but it is compensated for in the actual notation.

Basically, the key signature is a notational tool for lazy writers. It usually shows the key of the piece, but not always so.

[crevis]

The problem here is that there have been many 'musical theories' through the ages and today's is a mix of all of them. Traditionally the key would never change and the nat 7 in a harmonic minor would not be considered 'outside', though it would obviously be notated as a # note. In modern and jazz music, key signatures are still pivotal but most people will not always notate it at the start because it may change in the next measure and you would end up with double sharps which are incredibly confusing.

A good example is when you play the old 'blues in E' (I7 - IV7 - V7), the root progression is diatonic to the key but the chordal tones will obviously be 'out of key'. Sheet music for 'blues in E' won't denote a key signature.

[Ibateur]

I did indeed mean the sharps or flats starting the section/score.

I am grateful for all your inputs guys.