- This indicates the precise key of the piece. Sharps or flats are placed at the beginning of a composition after the clef. Any other alteration (e.g. a brief modulation to another key, is indicated by accidentals. If there is an extended passage in a new key, however, then a new key signature may appear. The key signature must be represented at the beginning of every new stave in a composition (although not always in popular music). ?