Notes

Major Scale consists of eight notes arranged in alphabetic order from any note to its octave. Semitones occur between the 3rd & 4th and 7th & 8th degrees of the scale in both ascending and descending.



Key Signature is a group of sharps or flats placed immediately after the clef sign. Details of key signature was discussed in book two of this series. Here is the summary of the table of sharp and flat keys.



Major Sharp Keys

The sharp keys follow a special pattern known as the circle of fifth. If we start from the natural key C, going round in fifth, the first sharp key is G that is C def G others continue from G abc D efg A etc. The note to sharpen in each key is the 7th degree of the scale or letter before the Major Key. However, in two sharps and others, the previous sharpened note(s) is (are) brought forward before adding the seventh.



Major Flat Keys

The flat keys follow the anti-clockwise pattern of circle of fifth or clockwise pattern of circle of fourth. From the natural key C going round in fourth, the first key is F, that is C de F Others continue from F ga Bb cd Eb etc. The note to flatten in the flat series also follow the anti-clockwise circle of fifth or clockwise circle of fourth, hence, the next key becomes what to flatten. However, like the sharp series, in two flats and others, the previous flattened note(s) is (are) brought forward before adding the next.



The sharps or flats in each key are written on the lines and spaces of the stave, to affect the notes on the staff throughout the music, unless otherwise nullified at any point by an accidental.