Keyboards basic sheet music question

 

Any change is only odd in that our ears are used to one sound, or one combination.

 

Many a new music scene through out history started because of simply such oddities, and small refinements in music notation and playing. It should not matter what key things are in, when it is the feeling that matters, and someone is always capable of blending the two easily enough with ... anything as simple as 1 note in the middle ...

 

I can understand saying something like that to help identify a certain period ... but any other generalization seems to me rather strange, and it does not in any way shape or form define music per se.

 

With all due respect, and no offense to the original question, I really think that it pertains more to music basics, and while that's a good question for a beginner, I would think that a music teacher is a better place to ask that question than here, where the answers will probably not be as good, or as helpful to the youngster.

 

Thx

post above pretty much nailed it...

 

Yeah, usually the key signature will tell you the sharps and flats, and through this the key (although it doesn't tell you if the piece is major or minor). If this "Key: C" indication is at the top of the page, it could be simply to clear up whether the piece is in C or Am, assuming there is nothing in the key signature before the clefs. If the "(sometimes Cm, D, A, etc.)" is part of that first indication then I suppose they're just preparing you for key changes within the piece, so get ready for 3 flats, 2 sharps, and 3 sharps, as well as other possible changes.

 

As for finger placement, keys very rarely have anything to do with that. A piece starting in C major could easily begin with a first inversion triad (E, G, C), and although it's possible to play that with your thumb on the C below the E, it's sort of awkward. Why use 2, 3, 5 fingering when you could use 1, 2, 5?

 

All in all, i don't really think it's relevant to how you play the piece, just moreso for your own knowledge. I wouldn't worry about it. If I'm interpreting how this is laid out wrong, feel free to correct me, and I'll help where I can.