Major Key Signatures - Sharp Keys

Major Key Signatures

Sharp Keys

Key Signature vs Key

• Key Signature is the flat(s) or sharp(s) that appear on the staff 

• The Key is the note or tonal center which is indicated by the Key Signature

Sharp Keys

• The sharps must appear in a certain order

• F# C# G# D# A# E# B#

• All 7 notes of the musical alphabet are included

Open Ended

Come up with an acronym (abbreviation) for the order of sharps. Keep it school appropriate.

F# C# G# D# A# E# B#

Multiple Choice

What is the interval between sharps?

• Thirds

• Fourths

• Fifths

• Sevenths

Determine the Key

• The key signature has F# C#

• Find the LAST sharp listed

• Go UP a half step

• The Key is D Major 

• Use capital letters for major keys

• Correct:  F Major

• Incorrect: f major

Multiple Choice

Key signature is F# C# G# D#

What is the Key?

(Look at the last sharp, go up a half step)

• G Major

• D# Major

• d# major

• E Major

Multiple Choice

Key signature is F# C# G#

What is the key?

(Look at the last sharp, go up a half step)

• A Major

• D Major

• G# Major

• a major

Multiple Choice

Which is the correct order of sharps?

• A B C D E F G

• F# C# G# D# A# E# B#

• f c g d a e b

• A# B# C# D# E# F# G#

Poll

How well do you understand key and key signature now?

• It makes sense now!

• I still have some questions.