That means that in total, there are 12 x 2 = 24 music keys. There are 12 notes in total – and each note has a major key signature and a relative minor. It would make the theory a LOT more complicated and most beginner-intermediate violin players will not benefit from this knowledge. To be absolutely transparent: there are a few exceptions to this rule, but as this rule works for 99% of violin pieces, I will not go into too much detail in this post. Is it a C? Usually, the piece is written in C Major. Is it an A? Usually, the piece will be written in A minor. Just look at the LAST note of the music piece. If you see a piece that has the key signature of C Major / A Minor – how do you know in which one of the keys the piece is written? So A Minor is the relative minor of C Major. The minor key signature with the same flats or sharps of the major key signature is called “the relative minor“. Why Does Each Key Signature Have Two Names?Įach key signature has two names – one “Major” name, and one “Minor” name.įor instance, the Key of C Major can also be called “The Key of A Minor”. If you get a little more advanced, you might also want to add the key signatures of E (4 sharps), E flat (3 flats) and A flat (4 flats). Key of C, F (1flat), B (2 flats) flat, G (1sharp), D (2 sharps), A (3 sharps) Some key signatures, such as the key of F sharp, B, G flat or C flat are rarely used on the violin and only in very advanced pieces.Īs a beginner violinist, you can play almost all pieces by only learning scales in the following keys:

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