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NSMA · Acclaimed Musician · Music theory

Acclaimed Musician theory

Recognize major and minor key signatures and their relationships.

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Section 01

Major keys

  • Sharp order: F, C, G, D, A, E, B
  • Flat order: B, E, A, D, G, C, F
  • For sharp keys, the final sharp is one half-step below the major-key tonic.
  • For flat keys, the next-to-last flat names the major key, except F major with one flat.
Major key signatures
Major key signatures

Section 02

Minor keys

  • Every major key shares its signature with a relative minor whose tonic is a minor third lower.
  • Natural, harmonic, and melodic minor scales alter the sixth and seventh degrees differently.
Minor key signatures
Minor key signatures