How to Memorize all the Major Key Signatures

Understanding major key signatures is essential for improving sight-reading skills, learning new pieces more efficiently, and deepening your overall grasp of music. By following these three simple steps, you can memorize all major key signatures and elevate your piano-playing skills.

Step 1: Memorize the Order of Sharps and Flats

Key signatures always follow a specific order, whether they contain sharps or flats. Memorizing this sequence is a significant time-saver, eliminating the need to analyze each signature individually.

Order of Sharps:
F, C, G, D, A, E, B
An easy mnemonic for remembering this is Fat Cats Go Down Alleys Eating Birds.

Order of Flats:
B, E, A, D, G, C, F
The sequence of flats is the reverse of the sharps. One memorable method to recall this order is Bead Good Cornflakes.

Step 2: Use Formulas to Identify Key Signatures

Once the order of sharps and flats is memorized, applying specific formulas allows you to determine the corresponding key signature.

For Sharps:

1. Identify the last sharp in the key signature.
2. Move up a half step from that sharp to find the key.

For example:

• If the key signature has two sharps (F# and C#), the last sharp is C#. Moving up a half step lands on D, meaning the key is D major.
• With five sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#, A#), the last sharp is A#. Moving up a half step gives B, so the key is B major.

For Flats:

1. Look at the second-to-last flat in the key signature. This flat's name is the key.

For example:

• If the key signature has three flats (Bb, Eb, Ab), the second-to-last flat is Eb, so the key is Eb major.
• With six flats (Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb), the second-to-last flat is Gb, meaning the key is Gb major.

Exception: When there’s only one flat (Bb), the key is F major.

C: The "All or Nothing" Key

The key of C major contains no sharps or flats, making it the simplest key to identify. On the other hand, C# major has all seven sharps, and Cb major has all seven flats. This makes C a truly “all or nothing” key.

Step 3: Practice with Flashcards

Regular practice solidifies your knowledge of key signatures. Flashcards are an excellent tool for this. Start with a few cards at a time, gradually increasing the number until you’re confident with all key signatures.

A great option is the free set of printable flashcards designed to help you memorize key signatures. These cards include step-by-step instructions and can be used in short daily sessions for rapid mastery.

Bonus Tip: Recognize Musical Patterns

Key signatures are just one of many recurring musical patterns. Identifying these patterns in your music will not only make learning faster but also enhance your sight-reading ability.

To see how this method works, check out the full length tutorial on the YouTube channel where you’ll see this in action. 👇🏻