Order of Flats

Flats always appear in the same order.  If there is 1 flat in the key it will always be Bb.  If there are 6 flats in the key they will always appear in this order: Bb Eb Ab Db Gb Cb.

Here is a mnemonic device to help you remember the order of flats

BEAD Greatest Common Factor


Bb Eb Ab Db Gb Cb Fb

Order of Sharps

Sharps always appear in the same order.  If there is only 1 sharp it will always be F#.  If there are 4 sharps they will always appear in this order: F# C# G# D#.

Here is a mnemonic device to help you remember the order of sharps.

Fat                  F#
Cats                C#
Go                  G#
Down              D#

Alleys              A#

Eating             E#
Birds               B#

Finding Flat Keys When Given the Number of Flats

1. Go through the order of flats until you come to the 2nd to last flat in the key signature

EXAMPLE                                                                                             
Given 6 flats
1. Bb Eb Ab Db Gb Cb.  The 2nd to last flat here is Gb.  So, the name of the key is Gb Major

Finding Flat Key Signatures When Given the Name of the Key

1. Go through the order of flats until you get one beyond the name of the key

EXAMPLE                                                                                              
Given Db Major
1. Bb Eb Ab Db Gb
2. Db Major has 5 flats.  They are Bb Eb Ab Db Gb

Finding Sharp Keys When Given the Number of Sharps

1. Go through the order of sharps until you get to the last sharp in the key signature
2. Go up 1/2 step from the last sharp in the key signature

EXAMPLE                                                                                        
Given 5 sharps in the key signature

1. F# C# G# D# A#
2. Up 1/2 step = B
3. The key that has 5 sharps is B Major

Finding Sharp Key Signatures When Given the Name of the Key

1. Go down 1/2 step from the name of the key
2. Go through the order of sharps until you reach that pitch
3. That is the number of sharps found in that key

EXAMPLE                                                                                              
 Given A Major
1. Go down 1/2 step from A = G#
2. Go through the order of sharps until you reach G#: F# C# G#
3. A Major has 3 sharps.  They are: F# C# G#

Treble Clef Note Reading

1. Say the names of the pitches

2. Play the pitches