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Key Signatures

22 July, 2019 - 10:18
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If you do not know the order of the sharps and flats, you can also use the circle of fifths to find these. The first sharp in a key signature is always F sharp; the second sharp in a key signature is always (a perfect fifth away) C sharp; the third is always G sharp, and so on, all the way to B sharp. The first flat in a key signature is always B flat (the same as the last sharp); the second is always E flat, and so on, all the way to F flat. Notice that, just as with the key signatures, you add sharps or subtract flats as you go clockwise around the circle, and add flats or subtract sharps as you go Counter-clockwise.

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Figure 4.46 Adding Sharps and Flats to the Key Signature
Each sharp and flat that is added to a key signature is also a perfect fifth away from the last sharp or flat that was added. 

Exercise 4.20:

This Figure 4.44 shows that D major has 2 sharps; This Figure 4.46 shows that they are F sharp and C sharp. After D major, name the next four sharp keys, and name the sharp that is added with each key.

Exercise 4.21:

E minor is the first sharp minor key; the first sharp added in both major and minor keys is always F sharp. Name the next three sharp minor keys, and the sharp that is added in each key.

Exercise 4.22:

After B flat major, name the next four flat keys, and name the flat that is added with each key.