ABSTRACT

A key designates a pitch as the tonal center and contextualizes other pitches as scale degrees around that center. Keys correspond to the major and minor scales. A musical work in the key of E major, for example, fixes E as tonic and derives its melodic and harmonic material primarily from the E-major scale. For major keys involving flats, the second-to-last flat in the signature indicates. One approach to interpreting and writing minor key signatures is to think in terms of the relative major key. Parallel minor keys are located three positions counterclockwise from each major key. For major keys involving flats, the second-to-last flat in the signature indicates. When asked to identify a minor key signature, first determine the major key that it indicates. Tonal melodies often emphasize by repeating, beginning on, and/or ending on this scale degree.