Music Theory Lesson – Major Keys, Key Signatures & Scales in Circle of Fifths Order

In this basic music theory lesson, we will take a look at major keys, key signatures and major scales in circle of fifths (and circle of fourths) order. You will find out the number of sharps or flats each major key has, as well as the notes of each key (or the notes of each major scale). We will start with C major which has no sharps or flats. Then we will take a look at the keys containing sharps, namely, G, D, A, E, B, F# and C# major.  Afterwards, we will take a look at the keys containing flats, namely, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb and Cb major.

Also, watch the following video in which you will see diagrams of each major key, key signature and major scale presented in circle of fifths (and circle of fourths) order. The notes of each major scale can be seen on the treble staff as well as the piano keyboard.

Basic Music Theory Lesson – Major Keys, Key Signatures & Scales in Circle of Fifths Order

Keys Containing Sharps – Let’s start with the keys containing sharps.

C major – 0 sharps

There are no sharps or flats in the key of C major. The notes of this key are C D E F G A B.

G major – 1 sharp: F#

There is one sharp in the key of G major. That sharp is F#. The notes of this key are G A B C D E F#.

D major – 2 sharps: F# C#

There are two sharps in the key of D major. These sharps are F# and C#. The notes of this key are D E F# G A B C#.

A major – 3 sharps: F# C# G#

There are three sharps in the key of A major. These sharps are F#, C# and G#. The notes of this key are A B C# D E F# G#.

E major – 4 sharps: F# C# G# D#

There are four sharps in the key of E major. These sharps are F#, C#, G# and D#. The notes of this key are E F# G# A B C# D#.

B major – 5 sharps: F# C# G# D# A#

There are five sharps in the key of B major. These sharps are F#, C#, G#, D# and A#. The notes of this key are B C# D# E F# G# A#.

F# major – 6 sharps: F# C# G# D# A# E#

There are six sharps in the key of F sharp major. These sharps are F#, C#, G#, D#, A# and E#. The notes of this key are F# G# A# B C# D# E#.

C# major – 7 sharps: F# C# G# D# A# E# B#

There are seven sharps in the key of C sharp major. These sharps are F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E# and B#. Every note is sharp. The notes of this key are C# D# E# F# G# A# B#.

Keys Containing Flats – Let’s now take a look at the keys containing flats. (Basic Music Theory Lesson – Major Keys, Key Signatures & Scales in Circle of Fifths Order)

F major – 1 flat: Bb

There is one flat in the key of F major. That flat is Bb. The notes of this key are F G A Bb C D E.

Bb major – 2 flats: Bb Eb

There are two flats in the key of B flat major. These flats are Bb and Eb. The notes of this key are Bb C D Eb F G A.

Eb major – 3 flats: Bb Eb Ab

There are three flats in the key of E flat major. These flats are Bb, Eb and Ab. The notes of this key are Eb F G Ab Bb C D.

Ab major – 4 flats: Bb Eb Ab Db

There are four flats in the key of A flat major. These flats are Bb, Eb, Ab and Db. The notes of this key are are Ab Bb C Db Eb F G.

Db major – 5 flats: Bb Eb Ab Db Gb

There are five flats in the key of D flat major. These flats are Bb, Eb, Ab, Db and Gb. The notes of this key are Db Eb F Gb Ab Bb C.

Gb major – 6 flats: Bb Eb Ab Db Gb Cb

There are six flats in the key of G flat major. These flats are Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb and Cb. The notes of this key are Gb Ab Bb Cb Db Eb F.

Cb major – 7 flats: Bb Eb Ab Db Gb Cb Fb

There are seven flats in the key of C flat major. These flats are Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb and Fb. Every note is flat. The notes of this key are Cb Db Eb Fb Gb Ab Bb.

The Order of Sharps and Flats

The order of sharps: F# C# G# D# A# E# B#

The order of flats: Bb Eb Ab Db Gb Cb Fb

This is the end of our basic music theory lesson, where we took a look at major keys, their key signatures, the number of sharps or flats they have, and major scales in circle of fifths (circle of fourths) order.

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