Key Signatures:

Resources:

Music is usually based on the notes of a scale. If the scale that's being

utilized is C major then we say that the music is in the key of C major.

If music consistently uses notes from the G major scale, we say

that it's in the key of G.

This mean that F sharps will be appearing again and again within the music.

To make things easier to read, the necessary sharp(s) or flat(s) is

written at the beginning of each line of music.

The sharp appears after the clef but before the time signature.

Sharp Keys:

The order of the sharp major keys is as follows:

C G D A E B F# C#

As you might notice, each key a perfect fifth (seven semi tones) higher than the previous key.

The order of the sharps within the key signature is as follows:

F# C# G# D# A# E# B#

Each sharp is also a perfect fifth (seven semi-tones) apart.

Flat Keys:

The order of the flat major keys is as follows:

C F Bb Eb Ab Db Gb Cb

As you might notice, each key a perfect fourth (five semi-tones) higher than the previous key.

The order of the flats within the key signature is as follows:

Bb Eb Ab Db Gb Cb Fb

Each flat is also a perfect fourth (five semi-tones) apart.