8/11/2019 Sharps and Flats Circle of 5ths

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Sharps and Flats

1. The order of sharps and flats:

Just to reiterate from the video, when sharps and flats appear in a key signature, they always do so in a

specific order.

For sharps, the order is:

F C G D A E B (clockwise round the circle of 5ths)

For flats, the order is:

B E A D G C F(anticlockwise around the circle of 5ths)

2. Reading Key Signatres:

As we noted in the video, the circle of 5ths can also be used to help us read key signatures - that is, to

see a written key signature and determine which key it signifies. his is simply a matter of counting the

points on the circle. !"#"#$"!, if the key signature is one that uses sharps then we count

clockwise from % &in the '( o)clock position* and if it is one that uses F+A then we count

anticlockwise.o - imagine a key signature with sharps. e know that the sharps will be F! C and G &in that order*

so we will count steps from %.

C to G " 1

G to D " 2

D to A " #

o we can say that the key represented by # sharps is A $a%or.

+et)s try one with flats/ imagine a key signature with 0 flats. Again, we are simply going to count 0

steps round the circle of 5ths anticlockwise &because we)re dealing with flats* from %. his time we

get...C to F " 1

F to B& " 2

B& to E& " #

E& to A& " '

A& to D& " (

D& to G& " )

o, the key represented by ) flats is G& $a%or.

ry this yourself and see how you get on. 1t is pretty simple when you get the hang of it - 2ust

remember to always count from % and to go clockwise for sharps and anticlockwise for flats.!emember, you will 3"4"! have a key signature containing sharps and flats.

#. *riting Key Signatres

e can use the circle of 5ths to help us write key signatures too - it)s really 2ust the reverse of what we

have 2ust noted above. o, if someone asks you to write the key signature for ma2or, you would

simply count the steps from % until you get to :

C + G " 1

G + D " 2

o, is ( steps around the circle of 5ths from % - we know that the number of steps away from % tells

us how many sharps &or flats* we need - therefore, re6uires ( sharps. e know the order of sharpsto &e F C G D A E Bso if the key signature needs two sharps we use the first (.

o, ma2or needs F7 and %78

8/11/2019 Sharps and Flats Circle of 5ths

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$b %

F 9 A $b % " F % " F 9 A $ %

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