HOW TO READ KEY SIGNATURES

STEP 1

THE ORDER OF THE SHARPS:

THE ORDER OF THE FLATS

• THE ORDER OF THE FLATS IS THE ORDER OF THE SHARPS BACKWARDS
• Bb Eb Ab Db Gb Cb Fb
• Now create a mneumonic device for either the order of the sharps or flats
• F# C# G# D# E# A# B#
• Example: Fancy Cats Greet Dancing Elephants After Balls

STEP TWO

HOW TO READ A SHARP KEY SIGNATURE

• DIRECTIONS:
• 1. FIND THE LAST SHARP ON THE RIGHT.
• 2. GO UP A 1/2 STEP (MINOR 2ND).
• 3. THAT NOTE IS THE NAME OF YOUR KEY SIGNATURE.

WHAT IS THE ABOVE KEY SIGNATURE?

D MAJOR

• The last flat on the right is C#
• The note a 1/2 step up from C# is D
• Therefore the name of the key signature is D Major

HOW TO READ A FLAT KEY SIGNATURE

• DIRECTIONS:
• 1. Locate the second to last flat from the right side of the key signature.
• 2. That flat is the name of the key signature.
• What is the name of the key signature on the following slide?

WHAT IS THE NAME OF THIS FLAT KEY SIGNATURE?

B FLAT MAJOR

• 1. The last flat on the right is E Flat
• 2. Go backwards to the second to last flat from the right.
• 3. The second to last flat from the right side of the key siganture is B flat.
• 4. The name of the key signature is B flat major.

Untitled Slide

THE KEY OF F MAJOR

THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX

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