Since keys and key signatures follow the same pattern, we don’t need to write them out separately. It’s just the list of keys we’ve already looked at above, but in condensed form. The cycle of fifths (aka circle of fifths) is the ultimate shortcut for finding keys and key signatures. The Cycle (Circle) Of 5ths – The Ultimate Shortcut Ab major only has 4 flats Bb, Eb, Ab and Db. Because it’s the root note there is no special reason to use a particular name as long as we have the right pitch. For this reason, keys with more than 7 sharps or flats are seldom used.įor example, G# major has 8 sharps including F double-sharp. With the alternate spelling, the same sounding key uses only a few single sharps or flats instead of doubles and is much easier to read. If the root note isn’t on the list, simply re-spell the note (re-name it with the alternative note name) and it will be there. It could go further, but scales in those keys would have more sharps or flats than notes! We would need to use double sharps or double flats in order to preserve the note naming rule (see 10. The list of keys above only goes up to 7 sharps or 7 flats. Notice also that some note names aren’t on this list. The latest flat of a key signature is the 4th note of the scale, the 4th letter counting up from the root note.The flats themselves start with Bb, the 4th note of F major.The flats keys start with F major (one flat) and go down 5 letters at a time.The latest sharp of a key signature is the 7th note of the scale or one letter below the root note.The sharps themselves start with F#, the 7th note of G major. The sharps keys start with G major (one sharp) and go up 5 letters at a time.We call this sequence the Cycle of 5ths (see below). The next key is the 4th letter above the current key, which is the same as saying it’s the 5th letter below the current key. For flats keys, the pattern is reversed.For sharps keys, the next key is the 5th letter above the current key.The order that the keys come in (the order of the root notes of the keys) is the same as the order that the sharps or flats come in, just starting on a different note than the root note, as shown here by the red arrows. Now that the keys are in key signature order,we can make one more observation: Introduction To Keys And Key Signatures: Major Keys. Look at the list from the last lesson, 11. Please feel welcome to make a comment or ask a question. This post is one of a 2-part series of free basic music theory lessons on my blog,.

Order of flats mnemonic