Changing Key
A composer does not have to stick to the key signature throughout the piece of music. If a
sharp or a flat is to be played where it is not found in the key signature then a # or a b will
be placed before the note. This will show that the note (and any other similar note played
after it in the same bar) should be changed. A natural sign will change it back, as will the
move to the next bar. This additional sharps, flats and naturals signs are called acciden-
tals.
A composer can also change key/scale at any point during a piece. This is done by insert-
ing a new key signature at the beginning of a bar. The music from this bar onwards (until
another key signature is inserted) is in the new key.
Student Question - “I hate playing scales - why should I bother?”Scales are something that most music teachers get their students to play when learn-
ing an instrument and yet they can be very boring for a student - it is important to
know why you are doing scales. The point of scales is simple - it is to get your fin-
gers used to playing in the different keys - the better your scale playing, the more
easier it will be for you to play any style of music in the different keys. If you are
learning an instrument, my suggestion to you would be to try to build in the habit
of scale playing into your day - a quick 5 mins on scales each day will massively im-
prove your playing. Don’t do too much - a little and often is the key to success.