Save this imageEvery key signature
The order of sharps and flats
- Sharps are always added in this order: F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯, E♯, B♯.
- Flats are the same order backwards: B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, G♭, C♭, F♭.
How to name the key from its signature
- Sharps: go up a half step from the last sharp. The last sharp is F♯? The key is G major. C♯? D major.
- Flats: the second-to-last flat is the key. B♭, E♭, A♭? The key is E♭ major. (One flat alone is F major.)
- Minor: go down three half steps from the major key. G major (1 sharp) gives E minor; E♭ major (3 flats) gives C minor.
Whether a song is in the major key or its relative minor, the signature doesn't say: listen for the note it comes home to, or let the key finder tell you.
Song not on your computer? DOT reads it while it plays.
Questions
How many key signatures are there?
15: no sharps or flats, 1 to 7 sharps, and 1 to 7 flats. Each stands for one major key and its relative minor.
What key has one sharp?
G major, or E minor. The sharp is F♯.
What key has one flat?
F major, or D minor. The flat is B♭.
Piano: Salamander Grand Piano, CC BY 3.0
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