Sharp key

What it means

Sharp keys are keys whose key signature consists of sharps. Their counterpart is the flat keys. The assignment follows the circle of fifths: every step of a fifth upward from C major adds one sharp — G major one, D major two, A major three, and so on up to seven.

In the notation

The sharps stand in a fixed order: F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯, E♯, B♯. Each also has its fixed place on the staff, which differs between clefs. A simple rule helps in determining the major key: the last sharp designates the leading tone, and the tonic lies a semitone above it. The relative minor key lies a minor third below the major tonic and shares the key signature.

Musical use

The reason for the ordering lies in the structure of the major scale: its upper tetrachord is at the same time the lower tetrachord of the key a fifth higher, which is why exactly one note must be raised with each step of a fifth.

In practice, sharp keys have an advantage on string instruments, because the open strings G, D, A, and E favour them; wind players with instruments pitched in B♭, conversely, prefer the flat keys. At remote keys, both sides of the circle meet: F♯ major with six sharps sounds like G♭ major with six flats, and which spelling is chosen depends on the context.

In minor keys it should be noted that the leading tone never stands in the key signature; in the minor keys rich in sharps its raising regularly leads to double sharps.

As a mnemonic for the sequence of sharp keys G, D, A, E, B, F♯, German pedagogy often uses “Geh, du alter Esel, hole Fisch”; the sharps themselves are added in the order F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯, E♯, B♯. The last sharp lies a semitone below the tonic of the major key, from which the key can be read off.

Performance practice

Determine the key by way of the last sharp and then check against the music whether major or minor is meant. Say the accidentals aloud and name the notes, instead of merely counting them. And in minor, work out the leading tone before you begin.