Key Signatures for Major and Minor Keys (Up to Three Sharps or Flats)

Prerequisites

• Understanding of basic key signatures.
• Knowledge of scale calculation.
• Recommended viewing: "Key Signatures: The Basics" and videos on scales.

Order of Letters for Sharps

• Order: F, C, G, D, A, E, B.
• Mnemonic: "Father Christmas Gave Dad An Electric Blanket."
• This order is crucial for determining the placement of sharps in a key signature.

Key Points

• One Sharp Key Signature: F-sharp.
• Two Sharps Key Signature: F-sharp, C-sharp.
• Three Sharps Key Signature: F-sharp, C-sharp, G-sharp.
• Always follow the order — F-sharp is placed high on the stave, C-sharp lower, G-sharp higher than C-sharp.

Example with A Major

• A Major has three sharps: F-sharp, C-sharp, G-sharp.
• Key signature order must be followed even if the scale has different positional order.

Order of Letters for Flats

• Reverse the sharp order for flats.
• Order for Flats: B, E, A, D, G, C, F.

Key Points

• One Flat Key Signature: B-flat.
• Two Flats Key Signature: B-flat, E-flat.
• Three Flats Key Signature: B-flat, E-flat, A-flat.
• Placement: E-flat should be higher than B-flat, A-flat lower than E-flat.

Example with B-flat Major

• Two flats: B-flat and E-flat. Be cautious not to miscount flats.
• Check placement with B-flat major, which has two flats.

Major and Minor Key Signature Equivalence

• C Major = A Minor (no sharps or flats).
• G Major = E Minor (one sharp).
• D Major = B Minor (two sharps).
• A Major = F-sharp Minor (three sharps).
• F Major = D Minor (one flat).
• B-flat Major = G Minor (two flats).
• E-flat Major = C Minor (three flats).

Minor Scales Specifics

• Harmonic minor scales introduce accidentals not in the key signature.
• Method involves calculating natural minor first, then converting.
• For example, A harmonic minor raises the 7th note, introducing G-sharp as an accidental.

Important Reminders

• Always maintain the correct order of sharps and flats.
• Use the mnemonic for order reference.
• Additional accidentals in minor scales do not alter the key signature.
• Refer to videos on minor scales for further understanding.

Conclusion

• This video focuses on the layout and order of key signatures.
• Remember the order of letters for sharps and flats.
• For detailed explanations, refer to the other suggested videos.

Many thanks for watching!