What I do, unnamed Guest, is look at the last note in the piece, which is very likely to be the tonic. (Not always, of course, especially if it is modal). Years ago my Shape Note group joined up with another and discovered that they were singing a song in major that we sang in minor. (We were right). (But it sounded interesting in major,too).

And I do know the counting up or down rule -- sort of -- but if you asked me, say how many sharps or flats in the Key of E, I'd have to work it out. Or look it up.

On the original topic, the signal I find confusing is the making-a- circle-with-the-hand one. Some people use it to mean, "Wrap it up", others to mean "Go around again on the part we just finished."

Blessings, Barbara