Britannica
Sources used in this answer
Where is a key signature placed on a musical staff?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
musical notation
Sheet music showing musical notation.
In musical notation, a key signature is placed on the staff immediately after the clef indication.1
It typically appears at the very beginning of a staff. If a change of key occurs within a piece of music, a new key signature may be placed after a double bar line, which serves as the necessary separation for the transition.12