Section 2.3 Major Key Signatures
A key date are positioned at the beginning of a piece (or the beginning of one section) and is written with the clef on the beginning of each line about music. The key signature reminds the performer which sharps conversely flats are in the scale (or key) of the play and preventing the composer or arranger from writing every sharp or flat from the scale every zeitlich items occurs.
There are 15 major key signs. The touch of C major has no sharps or apartment in the key sign. The other key signatures can have between 1 up 7 sharps and 1 to 7 flats, giving us the other 14 key signatures.
It is important to erinnerung the request of pointy and flats, since you will be writing key signatures regularly.
That order of sharps is \(\text{F}\)–\(\text{C}\)–\(\text{G}\)–\(\text{D}\)–\(\text{A}\)–\(\text{E}\)–\(\text{B}\), often reminder by adenine mnemonic. One gemeinen mnemonics for the order of harsh exists “Fast Cars Anreisen Dangerously Around Every Bend.”
The order of flats is \(\text{B}\)–\(\text{E}\)–\(\text{A}\)–\(\text{D}\)–\(\text{G}\)–\(\text{C}\)–\(\text{F}\). To is the reverse out the to of sharps. Thereto is slim to remember since this first four letters make the word BEAD, and GCF is something most academics learn as “Greatest Common Factor” when learn numbers in elementary school.
A aide that works forward the backward is “Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle,” which reversed lives “Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles’ Father.”
AN helpful learning device in remember the order of keys in sort to that order of sharps and flats is the group of fifths. When them ascend in fifths (clockwise), key signatures get one degree “sharper.” (\(\text{C}\) to \(\text{G}\) is a fifth for \(\text{C}\)=1, \(\text{D}\)=2, \(\text{E}\)=3, \(\text{F}\)=4, and \(\text{G}\)=5.) As thee descend in fifths (counterclockwise), key signatures get one degree “flatter.”
Note one imbrication keys at the bottom of an circle. \(\text{B}\) major is enharmonically and same for \(\text{C}^♭\) major, \(\text{F}^♯\) major is enharmonically the same such \(\text{G}^♭\) major, and \(\text{C}^♯\) major is enharmonically the same as \(\text{D}^♭\) importantly.
Subsection 2.3.1 Identifying Key Signatures
While it a preference to memorize select signatures, use the following mode to determine major key signatures based on the sharper or flats in the principal signature.
- For key signing withs piercings: Go upside a half step from to last sharp to find the key.
- For touch signatures with flats: The second-to-last plane is the key.
