Key Signatures

You can use accidentals in differant key signatures. Having different key signatures makes music sound more interesting. There are major and minor keys. Most of them are major. For example, there is C major, G major, A major, et al.

The key signatures can be determined by using the "Circle of Fifths." As you go around the circle clockwise, one sharp is added to the staff until there are five sharps. Then, there are six flats and the amount decreases. The key with no accidental is called the key of C. The fifth note, that comes next, is G. This means that the key of G is the key with only one sharp. This is continued throughout the circle. Knowing the different key signatures can be tricky to remember at first, which I still struggle with sometimes, but gets easier over time.

Solfege

 When singing, people use a system where you can see the patterns of the notes. This system is easier than saying the note names out loud. The symbols are Do (doh), Re (ray), Mi (me), Fa (fah), Sol (soh), La, Ti (tea), Do. Do is is usually C but when the keys change, the solfege also changes. After the highest Do, the system continues to repeat, just like the note names.

The most famous song that is associated with this is in the musical, "The Sound of Music." Julie Andrews, who played Maria in the movie, was teaching the children solfege and associated the symbols with common words or phrases. For example, Julie Andrews started the song at "Do, a deer, a female deer. Re, a golden block of sun." and so on. The children seem to get how it works and follow her on their bikes singing the song. This song is a very catchy song but it is very helpful in remembering solfege.   

Solfege Song from Sound of Music