2. Preparatory work
Major Key signatures :
GooD AlE BeeF # b

3. Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle
ORDER of #s and bs :
Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle # b

4. Minor Key signatures :
Minor keys do not have their own key signatures. They ‘borrow’ a key signature from the major.
Two rules must apply in all cases.
1. Count up 3 note names.
2. Count up 3 semitones.
Now adjust the top note if you have to.

5. Remember where the
semitones are:

6. There are semitones between
E and F, and B and C.
That is, there are no notes
between E and F, and B and C.

7. Some examples:

8. What is the key signature for
A minor?

9. Gives us the letter C Up 3 semitones? Gives us the note C
Up 3 note names? (Count inclusive – A, B, C)
Gives us the letter C
Up 3 semitones?
Gives us the note C

10. A minor has the same key signature then as C major
Which is?
No sharps or flats

12. What is the key signature for
D minor?

13. Gives us the letter F Up 3 semitones? Gives us the note F
Up 3 note names? (Count inclusive – D, E, F)
Gives us the letter F
Up 3 semitones?
Gives us the note F

14. D minor has the same key signature then as F major
Which is?
One flat

15. D minor

16. One more easy example

17. What is the key signature for
E minor?

18. Gives us the letter G Up 3 semitones? Gives us the note G
Up 3 note names? (Count inclusive – E, F, G)
Gives us the letter G
Up 3 semitones?
Gives us the note G

19. E minor has the same key signature then as G major
Which is?
One sharp

20. E minor

22. Remember: BOTH
rules must apply
NO exceptions

23. What is the key signature for
C minor?

24. Up 3 semitones? C to D is 2 semitones.
Follow the rules. Up 3 note names? (Count inclusive – C, D, E)
Gives us the letter E
Up 3 semitones? C to D is 2 semitones.
D to E is 2 semitones – oops! TOO many

25. How do we lose a semitone?
We can’t adjust the C, as that is the key we want
How do we lose a semitone?
Remember BOTH rules must apply
Answer - lower the E to Eb.

26. This gives 3 names and 4 semitones
How do we lose a semitone?
Remember BOTH rules must apply
Answer - lower the E to Eb.

27. C minor has the same key signature then as Eb major
Which is?
Three flats

28. What is the key signature for
F# minor?

29. Remember: BOTH
rules must apply
NO exceptions

30. Up 3 semitones? F# to G is 1 semitone.
Follow the rules. Up 3 note names? (Count inclusive – F, G, A)
Gives us the letter A
Up 3 semitones? F# to G is 1 semitone.
G to A is 2 semitones

31. This gives 3 names and 3 semitones

32. F# minor has the same key signature then as A major
Which is?
Three sharps

33. F#, C# and G# - in the
Correct order.

36. B minor

38. G minor

40. Bb minor

42. Minor Scales : There are 2 types of minor scale : Harmonic and Melodic
In each case, ‘borrow’ the key signature from the major relative. In both cases apply the key signature
then -
For Harmonic minor, raise note number 7
For Melodic minor, raise notes 6 and7 on the way up,
than cancel them on the way down!