Struggling to work out which key signature represents which key in music theory? You’re not alone. Everyone struggles with this at the beginning.
Thankfully, there are a few little hacks that can make it so easy to know what key you’re in you’ll kick yourself for not learning this sooner.
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DOWNLOAD MY FREE FLASHCARDSWorking Out Sharp Keys
Sharp keys are so easy to work out with this little tip.
All you do is look for the last sharp in the key signature. (The last sharp is always the 7th note of the major scale).
That means you can find the key by going up one half step (semitone) from the last sharp.
Let’s take the key signature with five sharps as an example. We find the last sharp, which is A#.
We then go up one half step from A#.
A# > B
This means that the key signature with five sharps is B Major.
Let’s do one more example, this time for the key signature with three sharps.
Again, we find the last sharp in the key signature, which is G#.
We then go up one half step (semitone) from G# to find the key.
G# > A
This means that the key signature with three sharps is A Major.
Simple!
Working Out Flat Keys
Working out flat key signatures is slightly different but equally easy.
All you do is look for the penultimate flat in the key signature (the one before the end).
The note that this flat is on tells you which key you’re in.
For example, let’s look at the key signature with six flats. We find the penultimate flat, which in this case is Gb.
That means that this key signature is Gb major. It really is that easy.
Let’s do one more example, this time for the flat key with four flats.
Again, we find the penultimate flat, which, in this case, is Ab.
That means that the key signature with four flats is Ab major!
These hacks work in all clefs, not just the treble clef.
Want to have a go at our quiz and see how well you’ve understood this concept?
Try our key signature quiz in the treble clef below.
