There is always a clef at the start of the music. It is usually either Treble Clef  
(G Clef) or Bass Clef  (F Clef).

This is followed by the Key Signature. The number of sharps and flats at the beginning of the stave gives the key its name.

 

When you need to write down a Key Signature, the sharps or flats must always be written in the same order, beginning with the first sharp or flat on the left-hand side of the stave and building out to the right.

 

The most important thing to remember is the Cycle of fifths. This involves going full circle counting up a perfect 5th each time. Notice the pattern as you go round back to C Major.

 

Here�s a sentence to help remember the order of the sharps:  

Father    Charles    Goes    Down    And    Ends    Battle.

 

Reverse the sentence and it gives you the order of flats:

Battle    Ends    And    Down    Goes    Charles    Father.

When the key signature is in sharps (#), count up one letter name from the last sharp on the right and you will have the name of that major key. If you have the key note, go down one letter name to find the last sharp and relate  it to the order of sharps
to determine the key signature.  

 

When the key signature is in flats (b), take the last flat and go down 4 letter names including the flat to find the key note of that major key. If you have the key note, go up 4 letter names to find the last flat and relate it to the order of flats to determine the key signature.   key note, go up 4 letter names to find the last flat and relate it to the order of flats to determine the key signature.   key note, go up 4 letter names to find the last flat and relate it to the order of flats to determine the key signature.   key note, go up 4 letter names to find the last flat and relate it to the order of flats to determine the key signature.  

  Each major key has a related minor key with the same key signature. to find the related minor key take the key note of the major key and count down 3 semitones ( 4 letter steps). e.g. G major  G-F#-F-E = E minor

 

  Names of the notes of the scale:  

      

These are important basics and you must try to learn them.

 

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