Key Signatures
You will recall that songs that use notes from the C major scale are said to be in the key of C. Similarly, songs that use notes from the G major scale are said to be in the key of G major.
Songs in the key of G will contain F sharp (F#) notes. Instead of writing a sharp sign before every F note on the staff, it is easier to write just one sharp sign after each clef. This means that all the F notes on the staff are played as F#, even though there is no sharp sign written before them. This is called a key signature. Note that the Tab notation does not use a key signature.
C Major Key Signature
The C major scale contains no sharps or flats, therefore the key signature for the key of C major contains no sharps or flats.
G Major Signature
The G major scale contains one sharp, F#, therefore the key signature for the key of G major contains one sharp, F#.
Waltzing Matilda is the most popular and well known Australian folk song. It is in 44 time in the key of G major. Remember that the key signature indicates that all F notes are played as F#. Try accompanying this song both fingerstyle and pick style using bass notes on beats 1 and 3 of each bar. Play the F# note on the 4th string with your fourth finger, and the F# note on the 1st string with your second finger.
Bass Note Rhythm Pattern
Variation
Fingerpicking Pattern 4a
In any particular key, certain chords are more common than others, and after a while you will become familiar with the chords that belong to each key. Some keys are easier for guitarists to play in and you should learn how to transpose (see lesson 21), so you can change a song that is in a difficult key (i.e., difficult chord shapes for a beginner) into an easier key.
The easiest keys for a guitarist to play in are the keys of C major, G major, A minor and E minor. All of the songs in this book are in these keys.
- The most common chords in the key of C major are – C, Dm, Em, F, G, G7, Am
- The most common chords in the key of G major are – G, Am, Bm, C, D, D7, Em
You have learned all of these chords except for B minor which is introduced here.
B Minor Chord
Bm
To play the Bm chord, use the first, second, third and fourth fingers of your left hand as shown in the diagram. Strum only four strings.
The following progression contains the Bm chord There are two chords per bar, each receiving two counts.
Rhythm Pattern
The following turnaround is in the key of G major. Each chord is played for two bars.
Rhythm Pattern
