Key Signature- is found at the top of a piece of music right before the time signature.
It tells us:
- What key the song is in.
- The notes on the staff will all be read as sharps(#) or flats(b) if marked in the key signature.
For example- The above key signature has 3 # sharps. One on the F line, one one the C space and another on the G space above the staff. Therefore, any time there is a F, C or G note written anywhere on the staff, they will be played as F#’s, C#’s and G#’s.
Key Signatures break in to 2 basic categories: ones that use sharps(#) and ones that use flats(b).
Sharp Keys:
Flat keys:
Important characteristics:
- There are 6 Flat keys.
- 5 sharp keys.
- One key has no key signature. That’s C major.
Cool tricks for sharp keys:
- If you go a half step above the last sharp in a key signature, it gives you the Major Key your in.
- Here is a mnemonic device for memorizing the order of sharps- Fat, Cats, Go, Down, Alleys.
Important trick for flat keys:
- The 2nd to last flat names the Major Key for that signature.
- Here is a mnemonic device for memorizing the order of flats- BEAD Granny’s Comforter.
Practice Quiz: Key Signatures coming soon!
Previous Lesson: Major Scale Formula
Next Lesson: The Circle Of Fifths
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Cool tricks for sharp keys:
If you go a half step above the last flat in a key signature, it gives you the Major Key your in.
Here is a mnemonic device for memorizing the order of sharps- Fat, Cats, Go, Down,Alleys.
Important trick for flat keys:
The 2nd to last flat names the Major Key for that signature.
Here is a mnemonic device for memorizing the order of flats- BEAD Granny’s Comforter.
for the cool tricks for sharpes, not really sure what you mean by going a half step above the last flat? and The 2nd to last flat names the Major Key for that signature ?
if you could elaborate on these tips that would be awesome
1. Sorry, the first one was a typo. It should say a 1/2 step above the last “sharp” will tell you what major key your in. So with the key signature of F#, C# and G#. If you go a 1/2 step above the last sharp, G#, that would tell you that it is the key signature for the key of A.
2. As for your second question about the second to last flat naming the key, it is very simple. Take the key signature of Bb Eb Ab Db. The 2nd to last flat is Ab and tells you that this is the key signature for the key of Ab.
Let me know if that clears it up?
It sure did, thanks!!
Som im wiriting at the key signatures and the key of Gb(flat) the second to last flat is Eb(flat) but i would think it would be Gb right? so i went and looked at the circle of fifths and it says its Eb as well as Gb so im a lil confused
You must be doing something wrong. The Key sig for Gb is: Bb Eb Ab Db Gb Cb. The 2nd to last flat is Gb. Maybe you were looking at the 2nd flat instead of the 2nd to last flat.
They key of Gb(flats) is Ab Bb Cb Db Eb F Gb. If i look at it like that the second to last flat is Eb, im i supposed to arrange them like BEAD Grandma Comforter ?
Your are a getting confused with the rule of 2nd to last flat. What it states is that the 2nd to last flat of flatted key signatures names the major key. So with the key signature for Gb which is Bb Eb Ab Db Gb Cb, the 2nd to last is Gb. Key signatures are always arranged in this order. So if you had a key signature of Bb Eb Ab you would be in the key of Eb major because the 2nd to last flat there is
Eb. Im not sure why you you say the key sig for Gb is (Ab Bb Cb Db Eb F Gb). It looks almost as if you’ve written the scale out but, if thats the case, you’ve left out the starting note of Gb. If you’re in the key of Gb it needs to start and end on a Gb. I hope that clears it up. Ask more questions if you’re still confused.
yeah that cleared it up, What i was doing was using the major scale form sheet and writing out the notes in the scale and then filling in the flats and sharps. So just because the scale of Gb goes Gb Ab Bb Cb Db Eb f Gb that doesnt change the fact that the key signature for Gb is Bb Eb Ab Db Gb Cb