The note that corresponds to a key signature with 6 flats is G♭ (G-flat) for the major key and E♭ (E-flat) for its relative minor key.
Understanding Key Signatures with Flats
A key signature is a set of sharps or flats placed on the staff at the beginning of a piece of music. It indicates which notes are to be consistently played higher or lower than their natural pitch throughout the composition, thereby defining the key of the piece.
For key signatures that use flats, each additional flat follows a specific order: B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, G♭, C♭, F♭. The number of flats directly corresponds to a specific major key and its relative minor key.
When a key signature displays six flats, it means that the notes B, E, A, D, G, and C are all flatted. This particular combination of flats points to two distinct keys:
- The G♭ Major scale, where G♭ is the tonic note around which the scale and harmonies are built.
- Its relative minor, the E♭ Minor scale, with E♭ as its tonic.
The following table illustrates the relationship between the number of flats in a key signature and the corresponding major and minor keys:
| Major Key | Number of Flats | Minor Key |
|---|---|---|
| E♭ major | 3 | C minor |
| A♭ major | 4 | F minor |
| D♭ major | 5 | B♭ minor |
| G♭ major | 6 | E♭ minor |
As shown, the G♭ major and E♭ minor keys are uniquely identified by a key signature containing six flats. Recognizing these connections is crucial for understanding the tonal landscape of a musical piece.
