Starting from C major each added sharp raises the key by a fifth.
Major keys with flats
C major has no sharps or flats
F major has one flat: B
B flat major has two flats: B E
E flat major has three flats: B E A
A flat major has four flats: B E A D
D flat major has five flats: B E A D G
G flat major has six flats: B E A D G C
C flat major has seven flats: B E A D G C F
BEADGCF consists of the same letters as FCGDAEB but in reverse.
Starting from C major each added flat raise the key by a fourth.
On the piano E sharp is F, B sharp is C, C flat is B and F flat is E.
Key signatures with seven sharps and seven flats are rarely used because they have
simpler enharmonic equivalents. C sharp major with seven sharps is more easily
expressed as D flat major with five flats. F flat major with seven flats is more easily
expressed as E major with four sharps.
Minor keys
Each major scale has a relative minor scale which is a minor third (four semitones
counting both notes) down from the major scale. Each relative minor scale has the same
key signature as its relative major.
Modifications are made to the natural minor scale by way of accidentals depending on
whether the harmonic minor or the melodic minor scale is being played. In the case of
the harmonic minor the leading note is sharpened by a semitone on the way up and the
way down. In the case of the melodic minor the note before the leading note and the
leading note are each sharpened on the way up only. The melodic minor scale was said
in earlier times to be easier to sing than the harmonic minor scale although Mozart had no
problem with asking singers to sing the harmonic minor scale.
Major and minor keys & examples of pieces in the various keys
Each of the major and minor keys on the piano will now be discussed starting from C
major and ascending by semitones.
Bach’s ‘Well-tempered Clavier’ (the ‘forty-eight’) consisted of two books each of 24
preludes and fugues in every major and minor key ascending upwards by semitones from