Music Theory Course

Unit #9
The Order of Sharps (#)

There is an easier way to remember Key Signatures than using the W-W-H-W-W-W-H pattern.

However, it does require that you memorize two things.

1. The order of sharps (#): F, C, G, D, A, E, B

This means that if a Key Signature has 1 sharp it will be F#;

if it has 2 sharps they will be F# and C#;

if it has 3 sharps they will be F#, C# and G#, etc., etc.,etc.,

Some people use a little saying to remember the order;

Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle

2. The Key of C has no sharps(#) or flats.(b)

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The Key Signature Chart For Sharps (#)

Using our two facts we can create a chart which will tell us the Key Signature for Keys which use sharps.

STEP 1: Write the order of sharps.

NB. That F has been written as F#.

STEP 2: Since the Key of C has no sharps or flats write 0 under the C and then number from 1-6. When you get to the end of the line continue from the beginning.

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How To Use The Sharp Chart

  1. To Find A Key
  2. To Find A Key Signature For a Key

To Find A Key

1. Count the number of sharps in the Key Signature.

2. Find that number on the Chart.

3. The letter above the number is the Key.

Example??

How To Use The Sharp Chart

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To Find A Key Signature For a Key

1. Find the Key name on the Chart.

2. Look at the number under that Key name.

3. Use that number of sharps(#) from the order of sharps.

An example??

How To Use The Sharp Chart
Unit #9 Review

1. The order of sharps is.

The answer is!!!

2. The Key of G has . The answer is!!!

3. The Key of D has . The answer is!!!

4. The Key of A has . The answer is!!!

5. The Key of B has . The answer is!!!

6. The Key of F# has . The answer is!!!

7. The Key of E has . The answer is!!!

8. The Key of C# has . The answer is!!!

9. The Key of C has . The answer is!!!

Main Index

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