KEY SIGNATURES
Key signatures are important because they tell us which major/minor scale is the musical foundation of a piece.
They are also important because they help us to identify which note is “Do” when working with solfege.
FLATS
Order: BEADGCF
Rule for determining key signature:
-Go to 2nd to last flat in the key signature, reading from left to right
Exception: One flat is F Major
No sharps or flats: C Major
BEADGCF
SHARPS
Order: FCGDAEB
Rule for determining key signature:
-Go to last sharp in key signature, then up a half step (or to the next letter in the alphabet (last sharp is “Ti”)
6 sharps: F# Major
7 sharps: C# Major
FCGDAEB
Do
Re
Mi
Fa
So
La
Ti
Do
Do
Re
Mi
Fa
So
La
Ti
So
Fa
Mi
La
Ti
Re
Do
#1
#2
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#14
#5