Determining the Key Signature of a Major Scale
First, figure out if the scale selected is a sharp scale or a flat scale. A quick recap: 1) If there’s a flat in
the name of the scale, then it’s a flat scale; 2)If there isn’t a flat in the name of the scale, and it’s not one of
the two exceptions (F and C), then it’s a sharp scale. If it’s C major, there are no flats and no sharps; if
it’s F major there is one flat (B♭). Once you’ve determined this, go to the appropriate section below.
First, figure out if the scale selected is a sharp scale or a flat scale. A quick recap: 1) If there’s a flat in
the name of the scale, then it’s a flat scale; 2)If there isn’t a flat in the name of the scale, and it’s not one of
the two exceptions (F and C), then it’s a sharp scale. If it’s C major, there are no flats and no sharps; if
it’s F major there is one flat (B♭). Once you’ve determined this, go to the appropriate section below.
Flat Scales
1. Remember the order of flats: BEADGCF (click in the corner of the box for help with this)
2. List the order of flats up to ONE BEYOND THE NAME OF THE SCALE. That’s your key signature,
otherwise known as a complete list of flats in that scale.
(One further thought you may wish to consider, particularly after checking out the sharps rule: If you go
down 1/2 step from the name of ANY major flat scale - that includes F - the note you reach will be the first
note name in the order of flats that's NOT flat. Actually, this even works for the key of C! If this thought
muddles your brain too much, don't worry. Just memorize the rule in the box above and get comfortable using
it. Then come back to this at another time.)
Let’s try an example. Given B major:
1. There’s no flat in the name of the scale, it’s not F and not C, so it’s a sharp scale
2. Go down 1/2 step to A♯. This is the last sharp in the order of sharps.
3. Go through the order of sharps up to A: Your key signature for B major is:
F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯
Click here to take the Key Signature Quiz!
1. There’s no flat in the name of the scale, it’s not F and not C, so it’s a sharp scale
2. Go down 1/2 step to A♯. This is the last sharp in the order of sharps.
3. Go through the order of sharps up to A: Your key signature for B major is:
F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯
Click here to take the Key Signature Quiz!
Sharp Scales
1. Remember the order of sharps: FCGDAEB (click in the corner of the box for help)
2. Go 1/2 step down from the name of the scale. The note you wind up on will be the last sharp in the
order of sharps. In other words, list all the sharps in the order of sharps up to the name of the note
that’s directly below (or before) the note that names the scale (or back one in the alphabet).
1. Remember the order of sharps: FCGDAEB (click in the corner of the box for help)
2. Go 1/2 step down from the name of the scale. The note you wind up on will be the last sharp in the
order of sharps. In other words, list all the sharps in the order of sharps up to the name of the note
that’s directly below (or before) the note that names the scale (or back one in the alphabet).
