Scribd
Upload
37 views1 page

Writing Key Signatures

The document discusses key signatures and how to write them using the circle of fifths. It explains that to determine the key signature for a given key, you count around the circle of fifths from C in either a clockwise direction for sharps or counterclockwise for flats. For example, the key of Gb major uses 6 flats because counting 6 steps anticlockwise from C is Gb. It also provides examples of writing key signatures for D major and other keys.

Uploaded by

John Wayne
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
37 views1 page

Writing Key Signatures

The document discusses key signatures and how to write them using the circle of fifths. It explains that to determine the key signature for a given key, you count around the circle of fifths from C in either a clockwise direction for sharps or counterclockwise for flats. For example, the key of Gb major uses 6 flats because counting 6 steps anticlockwise from C is Gb. It also provides examples of writing key signatures for D major and other keys.

Uploaded by

John Wayne
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 1

C-G=1

- G-D=2 - D-A=3

Let's try one with flats; imagine a key signature with 6 flats. Again, we are simply going to count 6
steps round the circle of 5ths anticlockwise (because we're dealing with flats) from C. This time we
get...

C - F =1F - Bb = 2 - Bb - Eb = 3 - - Eb - Ab = 4 - Ab - Db = 5 - Db - Gb = 6

So, the key represented by 6 flats is Gb major.

3. Writing Key Signatures:

Try this yourself and see how you get on. It is pretty simple when you get the hang of it - just
remember to always count from C and to go clockwise for sharps and anticlockwise for flats.

Remember, you will NEVER have a key signature containing sharps and flats.

We can use the circle of 5ths to help us write key signatures too - it's really just the reverse of what
we have just noted above. So, if someone asks you to write the key signature for D major, you
would simply count the steps from C until you get to D: C-G=1 G-D=2 So, D is 2 steps around the
circle of 5ths from C - we know that the number of steps away from C tells us how many sharps (or
flats) we need - therefore, D requires 2 sharps.

We know the order of sharps to be F C G D A E B so if the key signature needs two sharps we use
the first 2.

So, D major needs F# and C#!

4. Appearance of Key Signatures:

(a) Key signatures with SHARPS:

It is important that we make sure that key signatures are written in the correct way - that is, that
we ensure they are displayed properly. This is important because we need to be able to glance
quickly and recognise them. When we get used to looking at key signatures we often recognise
them by their appearance, rather than by looking at every single individual sharp or flat. The one
thing to be aware of is that the way key signatures look can vary depending on the clef. We discuss
clefs later this week but for now, the following is a useful graphic showing how key signatures look
in each of the common clefs:

(b) Key Signatures with FLATS

You might also like