How to Get Comfortable Playing in Different Keys?

[nickadams]

I have a hard time getting my hands to "remember" the sharps and flats when I play in keys other than C,D,F, and G major. My brain has memorized the sharps and flats but my hands haven't.

So I was wondering what are some good practice materials to get more comfortable with other key signatures?

[j_menz]

Scales (and other exercises) in those keys, or just playing pieces written in them.

[quaver]

If you play an easy piece by ear, say happy birthday or twinkle, twinkle in the key of C major.
Then progress chromatically to C# D D# etc with the easy 'by ear' pieces.  After a while you can progress to more difficult songs.  Daily practice is advisable and perhaps a few new keys a day.  I have found that this has helped me alot as I had the same problem.

[keyofc]

Sorry - couldn't complete post...

Then I would circle all notes where the same fingers fell at the same time.

3 on C - etc.

And then starting at different places in the scale,

Maybe starting on C , Db, Eb

It takes  time- you start enjoying the scale - and what you have in your head gets into your fingers.  Also playing the primary chords slowly.

[keyofc]

It looks like my first post never made it !
One thing that helped me/when I was learning my scales
is that I would get a big piece of paper in notebook
for each scale.
Write out the letter names for the scale.
for RH - and put finger numbers in.
Then do the same w/LH
Notice which fingers come down at the same time - for instance,
if I'm in Ab - I'd circle E, etc.
This helped a lot.

If you play your primary chords with a full seventh chord - for instance you will end up playing
all of the flats/shaprs in whatever scale you're in.
For instance - 1 - Ab C Eb
 2 - Ab Db F
3 - G Bb db Eb
hope this helps