Its key signature is the same: 2 sharps - F# and C# (see the previous example). Therefore, the relative minor of C major is A minor. There we go:ģ notes down the scale are C, B, and A. To find the relative minor, we list 3 notes down the major scale.

We can list the order of major keys in the circle of fifths and check which one is relative to B minor. This means D major has 2 sharps - F# and C#, so the whole scale would be: D, E, F#, G, A, B, C#.Įxample 4: identify B minor's key signature To get the names of the first 2 sharps, we need the first two words of the mnemonic: 'Father Charles (.)' - F and C. We again use the mnemonic and enumerate the keys until we get to D. The 6 flats key is G♭ major.Įxample 3: find what D major's key signature is. We read the penultimate note - G - and add a flat, which gives us G♭.We enumerate the first letters of the first 6 words: B, E, A, D, G, C.We recall the order of flats: 'Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles' Father'.We get A - The 3 sharps key is an A major key signature.We take the last note - G - and go a tone up.To recall the first three sharps, we use the mnemonic 'Father Charles Goes (.)' (we don't need to recall the rest of the sentence) and get the first letters: F, C, G.Let's go through some examples to better learn how to find key signatures. Now that we know how to remember key signatures, let's go through some exercises. You can write down the number and names of sharps on the right part of the circle and flats on the left using the same mnemonic. Starting from the place to the left from C and going clockwise, enter the first letters of the mnemonic: F, (C), G, D, A, E, B.Īfter 'B,' continue filling the circle with first letters from a shortened part of the mnemonic: 'Goes Down And Ends Battle'. Remember C has no sharps or flats write it at the top of the circle. Recall the sentence: 'Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle'.ĭraw a circle with 12 evenly spaced places for notes. To recreate the key signature chart from memory: To remember the order of sharps and flats, you can use this popular mnemonic:įather Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle (for sharps)īattle Ends And Down Goes Charles Father (for flats) Going from C, we add sharps going clockwise and flats going counterclockwise. The adjacent notes are a perfect fifth apart (hence the chart's name). Between them, you'll see the corresponding flats and sharps.

The major keys are placed in the outer circle and their relative minors are in the inner circle.

Order of flat keys