Keyboards basic sheet music question

[smithmiller6]

Hi, The sheet music for songs has this indication: key: C (sometimes Cm, D, A etc)
what does that mean ?
Iam assuming just like we play scales, where we place our starting finger on that key. Example if the song says play in the key of C, then i should position my hand such that the thumb is on C. Lets say , if the song is to be played in the key of A, then i should place my thumb on A (atleast have the finger positioned that way to start with). Is that correct?

[mohan]

The 'Key' or 'scale' (in Western music) will give you an indication of the sharps or flats used in the scale. ie it will say which notes of the keyboard are predominately used in the song. It also tells you which is the centre or tonic note.

For example

C major has notes C D E F G A and B (tonic is C)

C minor is C, D, Eâ™­, F, G, Aâ™­, and Bâ™­. (tonic is C)

A major is A, B, C♯, D, E, F♯, and G♯. (tonic is A)

For more see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Musical_keys