IX. Key Signatures
The key of C major has no sharps or flats.
Memorize the order of sharps. Each successive one is a fifth higher.
F# C# G# D# A# E# B#
The sharps are always applied in the order given above, with keys moving up
in fifths as more are used. Each major key has a relative minor key with the
same signature.
| Sharps | Major Key | Minor Key | |
| 1 | G | Em | G major and E minor keys contain an F# |
| 2 | D | Bm | D major and B minor keys have F# and C# |
| 3 | A | F#m | etc. |
| 4 | E | C#m | |
| 5 | B | G#m | |
| 6 | F# | D#m | |
| 7 | C# | A#m |
Now memorize the order of flats. Each successive flat is a fourth higher (or
a fifth lower).
Bb Eb Ab Db Gb Cb Fb
As successively more flats are applied to music, keys move up in fourths.
| Flats | Major Key | Minor Key |  |
| 1 | F | Dmm | |
| 2 | Bb | Gm | |
| 3 | Eb | Cm | |
| 4 | Ab | Fm | |
| 5 | Db | Bbm | |
| 6 | Gb | Ebm | |
| 7 | Cb | Abm |