Learning Objectives
- Learn the order of flats in a flat key signature.
- Correctly identify the keys indicated by flat key signatures.
- Learn how to build a key signature that uses flats.
Key Signatures III: Flat Keys
Flat Key Signatures
Like the sharps in a sharp key signatures, the flats in a flat key signature always appear in the same positions on the staff. The example below shows the pattern of flats in the treble and bass clefs (click "Show Me"). Take a moment to memorize this pattern. Unlike the sharp key signatures, there is a consistent zig-zagging pattern with the placement of the flats in flat key signatures. You might visually group the flats into a line of three flats on the top and a line of four flats on the bottom (sloping down to the right).
Flat Key Signatures
The order of flats in a flat key signature is always B E A D G C F. This means that the first flat in a key signature is always B♭, the second is always E♭, and so on. You cannot reorder the flats in a key signature or start on anything but B♭. A common mnemonic device for the order of flats is the word BEAD + Greatest Common Factor. Note that the order of flats is also the reverse of the order of sharps (F C G D A E B). (Some other mnemonic possibilities are listed here.)
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The Seven Flat Major Keys
There are seven major keys that use flats: F major, B-flat major, E-flat major, A-flat major, D-flat major, G-flat major, and C-flat major. (Note that all but one of these keys has the word "flat" in the name, making it easier to distinguish these keys from sharp major keys). The seven flat major keys are shown in the chart below. Many musicians have these key signatures memorized. The chart begins with C major, allowing you to see entire progression from C major, which has zero flats, to C-flat major, which has all seven flats. Note particularly how flats are added in the order B E A D G C F as you move through keys with more and more flats.
Name
Scale
Flats
Key Signature
Listen
Take a moment now to practice playing the major scales with flats on the virtual piano below.
Click this small keyboard icon below.
Keyboard x
Identifying Flat Key Signatures
If you would rather not memorize all of the flat major key signatures, there is another quick and simple way to identify them. Looking again at the chart above, you will note that in each case (with one exception) the next-to-the-last flat in the key signature is always the tonic (which is the also the name of the key). This next-to-the-last flat is highlighted in the flat key signatures shown in the example below. Note that the next-to-the-last flat in the key signature for B-flat major is B♭. The next-to-the-last flat in the key signature for A-flat major is A♭, and so on.
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The sole exception to this rule is F major, which has only one flat (B♭). Since there is no next-to-the-last flat in F major, you will just need to memorize this key signature.
Building Flat Major Key Signatures
To build a major key signature with flats you can follow these three simple steps*:
- In the order of flats (B E A D G C [F]), find the name of the key for which you want to build a key signature.
- Count all the flats up to that point, and add one more flat beyond the name of the key (in the order of flats).
- Build the key signature following the correct order and placement of flats.
For example, to build the key signature for E-flat major:
- Find E in the order of flats. Add the flats up to that point: B♭ and E♭.
- Add one more flat (in the order of flats): A♭.
- Build the key signature following the correct order and placement of flats:
* Note that this method does NOT work for F major. Again, you just need to remember that F major has one flat in its key signature (B♭). Also, it is assumed that you will simply remember that C major has no sharps or flats.
Notation Practice
If you haven't done so already, print out the Key Signature Practice Sheet and practice tracing the flat key signatures described in this lesson. Then, on the blank lines, practice writing out some key signatures on your own.