Key Signatures in Major Keys
All musicians must learn to identify key signatures and play within them. In particular, sight singing requires a clear understanding of key signatures. This is because the solfege scale is moveable and students must learn to find “do.” This is done by identifying the key of the song. If a song is in the Key of C Major (no sharps or flats) then “do” is on “C.”
Keys with Sharps
Memorizing the order of the sharps can easily be done by using the following mnemonic device:
Fat Cats Go Down Allies Eating Bananas. (F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#, B#)
The name of the key is 1/2 step higher than the last sharp.
For example, in major keys, if the last sharp is F#, the name of the key is G Major. That means that “do” is “G.”
If the last sharp is C#, the name of the key is D Major. That means that “do” is on “D.”
If the last sharp is G#, the name of the key is A Major. That means that “do” is on “A.”
If the last sharp is D#, the name of the key is E Major. That means that “do” is on “E.”
Keys with flats
Memorizing the order of the flats may be done by using the following mnemonic device:
But Even A Dumb Goat Can Fly. (B flat, E flat, A flat, D flat, G flat, C flat, and F flat)
The key with 1 flat (B flat) must be memorized. It is the Key of F Major. In the Key of F Major, “do” is “F.”
Subsequent flat keys may be identified by naming the second to the last flat.
For example, if I have a key with 2 flats (B flat & E Flat) the second to the last flat is “B flat.” The name of the key is B Flat Major. That means that “do” is “B flat.”
If I have a key with 3 flats (B flat, E flat, & A flat) the second to the last flat is “E flat.” The name of the key is E Flat Major. That means that “do” is “E flat.”
If I have a key with 4 flats (B flat, E flat, A flat, & D flat) the second to the last flat is “A flat.” The name of the key is A Flat Major. That means that “do” is “A flat.”
