What term refers to the sharps or flats at the beginning of a music piece that indicate its key?

The term that refers to the sharps or flats at the beginning of a music piece indicating its key is known as the key signature. The key signature is essential in music notation as it provides vital information about the tonality of the piece, allowing musicians to understand which notes will be consistently sharp or flat throughout the composition. By establishing the key signature, composers can communicate the intended harmonic framework and scale for the piece, enabling performers to interpret the music accurately.

In contrast, a time signature indicates the rhythmic structure of a piece, specifying how many beats are in each measure and what note value constitutes one beat. A tempo marking conveys the speed at which a piece should be played, often expressed in beats per minute. A clef is a symbol placed at the beginning of a staff to denote the pitch range for the music being read and performed. Each of these concepts serves a different purpose in musical notation, making the key signature particularly crucial for establishing the piece's key.