Key Signatures: Everything You Need To Know
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 มิ.ย. 2024
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Everything you need to know about key signatures, and three ways to learn them all.
Key signatures are crucial for music theory, composition, sight reading, and improvisation. This video is an update to my original 2018 video on key signatures and includes three methods to learn them all - The "Two Rules Method, The Chart Method, and the The Woodshed Method.
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0:00 - Introduction
0:58 - Three Methods Compared
1:42 - Properties and Patterns of Key Signatures
3:24 - Order of Sharps and Flats
4:05 - The "Two Rules" Method
7:55 - The Chart Method
10:08 - The Woodshed Method
Check out my other videos here:
Major Scales - • Major scales: Everythi...
Minor Scales - • Minor Scales - Everyth...
Circle of Fifths - • Circle of Fifths: Ever...
Intervals Part I - • Intervals: Part I - Ha...
Intervals Part II - • Intervals: Part II - T...
Concert Pitch and Transposing Instruments - • What is concert pitch,...
How to Play 3000% Faster - • Play 3000% Faster in J...
3000% Faster Playalong Video - • How To Play 3000% Fast...
Note Naming - • Note Naming: Everythin...
Dynamics - • Dynamics: Everything Y...
Modes - • Musical Modes: Everyth...
Parallel Scales - • Modifying the Major Sc...
Key Signatures(original 2018) - • Key Signatures - Every...
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It seems silly to say, but "learn your scales, your future self will thank you." are some of the truest words ever spoken when it comes music.
the chart method is such a good alternative to the circle of fifths. I went from unconfident to confident in minutes. 10/10.
I’m in music theory and wanted to cry when I read about the circle of fifths it makes NO sense
@psychinteresting72 How does the circle not make sense? I agree that it’s a lot of information and really overwhelming if you don’t understand the underlying concepts. I did do a whole separate video about the circle that you may find interesting. It’s my most successful video so far and a lot of people have found it helpful. Good luck!
Timing couldn’t be more perfect
Ha
Yeah right on the second strong beat in a 6/8 bar
Bruh it just popped up in my recommended while I was thinking about how much of a disappointment I am cuz I don’t know my key signatures yet.
“But unfortunately, it won’t be very helpful for your test coming up in a few days.”
I had to pause to laugh- gagged me, and I’m caught red-handed.
So this is how I learned mine: I got home drunk in the middle of the day and my I was not expecting anyone home but it turns out my grandma was home. I didn’t want to act suspicious so i grabbed a piece of staff paper and wrote the flats and sharps in order over and over again. Finally I pulled out the circle of fifths and memorized it by copying it over and over again. By the time I was sober I memorized all my keys. Just to clear things up, I started in the music program a few years into college, we did not cover this in high school as we just focused on playing notes and not looking too much into the theory and I was of legal drinking age when I did this. I used to live with my grandfather and that week him and my grandma went out of town and I was not expecting them to be home so early. I don’t recommend this to anyone though.
thats awesome
Noice
My mind is blown after leaning the chart method....I never heard of it. The Two Rules method made sense to me, but the Chat Method is just beyond comprehension in its simplicity. Truly amazing how math and music combine.
Isn’t it great? It was the first thing I always wrote in the margin of my theory tests/assignments until I had fully memorized all my scales.
I believe this is the best video I've ever seen on any subject!
In jazz school right now, we started a thing called "music theory bootcamp" in which we deep dive into one key signature at a time. This is SO efficient and easy. Basically collectively woodshedding.
Excellent! I think it makes sense to spend a bunch of time in one key and really get inside it's idiosyncrasies on your particular instrument. Practice scales and modes, licks, the blues, rhythm changes, etc, all in the same key.
@@BradHarrison Definitely! I'm studying to become a music teacher and I'll definitely steal that concept!
Thank you. As a beginner I have been trying to figure this out and you have made this comprehensive. The chart method makes the most sense to me.
For anyone wondering, here's what the Spanish sentences say starting from line 10:
10. I come from another world
11. Yes, but I'm a good demon
12. I've always wanted a human companion
13. Anything except pizza again
14. And a little bit of mayonnaise too, please
15. Two hours, but there's a breakfast buffet
As a guitarist,I use the guitar fret board… moving in 4ths from C. C= none, F= 1flat, Bb= 2 flats, Eb= 3 flats, Ab= 4 flats, etc. Moving in 5ths from C, C= none- G=1 sharp, D= 2 sharps, A= 3 sharps, E=4 sharps, etc….btw, nice ideas you have there!
I think this is easier to learn for real musical situations than on a syllabus schedule. If you're in a band, or even solo, start with the 2 or 3 keys you use the most, branching out slowly; and just look at the circle of fifths on a regular basis.
I mean, I had NO idea that the sharps and flats in the notation indicate exactly what notes were sharps or flats! Never seen it mentioned anywhere else up until this point! Thank you so much, your tips are very very helpful 😊
I teach my students to draw the circle of fifths. That has been useful - and aids a little in comprehension - but this chart is beautifully simple for quick study! I will definitely be using it.
Hi Rebecca, I have taught for many years and I think when you try this the circle of fifths will still win. I have a method for putting in sharps however once the adult beginner learns how to build triads that method will not be needed due to they will be able to think up fifths. I replied above but I'll paste here what I wrote in case you don't see it. I am doing this on my smartphone so sorry if this is all run on sentences.
Circle of fifths chart still works the best and can be reproduced by the beginner adult more easily.
Too much information with making up all those sayings.
We don't need to reinvent the wheel sorry but the person who invented the circle has already won!
First off Bead is a word all you have to remember is G C F . That's it. Now you have mastered the whole thing. B E A D G C F!
OK, so all we need to do is draw a circle and at the top of the circle draw F then going counter clockwise write in B E A D
G twice one with flats and one without.
So Bb Eb Ab Db Gb. B E A D G
Bam! There is all you keys except the odd ball ones which most people will never play so I don't teach that because by the time you get to that you will be so advanced you'll be able to teach yourself C# F# and via I believe the other is Cb.
Next counter clockwise starting with F give them a number up to Gb.
Now you know by looking at the number next to the letter how many flats are in that key and you use the same Bb Eb Ab Db Gb to know what flats are in each key.
Yes you will have to learn Cb in labeling the last flat key but that is just the next letter in the sequence just add a flat ie B E A D G C.
Same stuff here folks you are not learning anything new like a whole bunch of sayings.
Now for children this approach is totally different until they get advanced then you would use circle of fifths.
Children 7-9 who are beginners need sayings a 10 year old does not, their cognitive development is pretty much at
the adult stage as far as the learning curve.
OK back to where we left. Now starting where you ended on the circle via Gb continuing counter clockwise would now be B continue with the numbering but now number backwards 5 4 3 2 1.
When adding sharps start with G and go clockwise.
Using the same B E A D G C F but now write it out in reverse . F C G D A E B those are you sharps F# C# G# D# A# no need to know any further than that.
Now put the number of letters that corresponds to the number written next to the key just like you did with the flats. IE Dmajor has 2 sharps so first two letters of the reverse chart F# C#.
Done!
You won't use E and B but that's OK because when the student gets advanced they'll get it
Now you know all the keys you will use most of the time by knowing one thing B E A D G C F.
@@Markpianist1 I agree. The word “bead “is easier to remember than elaborate mnemonic devices. Also guitarists and bassists, can just think of the order of the strings for flats and mandolinist and violinists can do the same for sharps.
Maj triad boogie counter-clockwise (Joe Avery Blues). Let the groove motivate.
I have a music exam coming up, so The Chart Method is going to be like Thanos with his gauntlet and all infinity stones. My point is that I will do very well thanks to you, so Thank You! You have just given me Unlimited Power!
Yes! The chart method is great until you memorize them all. I’m a huge fan. Good luck!
First, love your subtle, low key humor. I have to remember the valuable Spanish phrases.
Second, I never heard of the woodshed method but I knew it existed. It exists in any learning. Maybe the equivalent is that amateurs practice til they get it right, pro's practice til they can't get it wrong. The Rules exist as a crutch until you have built-in familiarity and ability to just recognize the key signatures. Or whatever you are "learning."
Third, love your improvised second Rule. I don't have trouble remembering the Sharp order or Flat order by imagining the Circle of Fifths/Fourths, at least the area from F (11 o'clock) clockwise around to B. Using the line after the C is genious. You win the internet for the day. Thanks for the very creative share. Good graphics and animations.
You have finally gotten it thru my thick skull on how to memorize the flats and sharps. It always daunted me on guitar, but this was perfect!!
If it helps, I learned this phrase for the
order of the sharps:
Fat Cats Go Down Alleys Eating Bugs
Seems a bit simpler than what you said, though I appreciate that the phrase you used can be said in reverse for the flats
as well.
For flats we really just learned
BEAD Guy Can Fight like the word "bead" or BEAD GCF which still cracks me up to this day.
You are teaching me a lot. Now it all is making sense. Now I'm very happy with my learning.
This is extremely helpful. Thanks. I’ve been writing out flash cards on index cards and memorizing them. I have no background in music, but I started almost 4 months ago and I love my violin. I’m learning music theory and sight reading at the same time.
This is the easiest method to remember key signatures by far. Thank you so much for sharing this lesson and I’m going to share it with my music students 😌🙏🏻
Once again so well explained.. This will make leading key signatures so much easier. Thank you
This channel is gold
Thank you so much… very insightful. As an adult beginner I find your video of great help!!!
OMG ! , THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THIS CLASS !!!!!
Nice and brief description with illustrations to understand
Congrats!!! Excellent methodology and explanations!
This is fantastic! I love the chart method. I have struggling with music theory for at least 50 years and you have opened my eyes. Thank you so very much!
Great to hear! So glad you found it helpful !
8:00 this really helps omg THANK YOU 😭😭😭
You make it so simple that I feel like learning music at the wrong time 😂. At 2:32 just memorize 'BEAD-GCF' for flats and it becomes exactly the reverse for the sharps
Thank so much for posting this updated video, I was watching your earlier video on the topic but this one is even better
So glad to hear it!
Have my Music Theory mid-term tomorrow and this definitely helped and I feel more confident now. Just subbed, thanks!
Thank you for your reply about background music. I have just watched your revised version. It is a great help and no background music is a very big help for me as I cannot cope with background music. Thank you for the time and effort you have put in to this.
Superb! Great synthesis! Now I am not lost anymore. The Chart Method suited me most; now it's my time to go to the Woodshed!
I've been looking for this for a looooong time! Thank you so much for this video! Best learning I've had in YEARS!
Excellent!!
I cannot explain how much I love the chart method
It’s so good, right?
I genuinely am about to cry. I’m having to retake theory I this semester, because while I passed, my understanding was so shaky that I struggled in theory II. The chart method helps immensely, and I’m a bit more confident now.
Ive been lazy using a mousepad but this site called Hook Theory made it super fun to learn theory so im going down the rabbit hole learning. Thanks! Subsribed!
Brilliantly explained. You are an excellent teacher 👍
Very underrated channel! Keep up the great work and you've earned a subscriber!
This is awesome!!!! I wish I had known these tricks 20 years ago! Thank you so very much for taking the time to make this video and adding the helpful/well thought out visuals. This is extremely helpful!
Thank you!!!! Very succinct, c'est
Clear and simple!!! I wish I had seen things like this year's ago, but it is never too late to help my budding musicians!!!!
This channel is pure gold ❤️
I’m not even kidding I was literally looking for a video of this and my ap music theory class is in 2 hours.
Your explanations are great! Thank you!
Yoooo, didn’t realize this video was posted only a month ago. I’m so glad there’s more and more free content like this, thank you!!
Although I’ve seen visual representations of the chart method, your explanation + visuals made it crystal clear.
+1 TH-camrs, 0 strict, old fashioned music theory teachers
Great instructional video, Thanks!!
Thanks for such an easy way the learn the key signatures with the chart method 🎶🎹🎼
Great video, I was able to understamd this so much better thank you.
Good to see you back Maestro 🚀
Excellent video. Thank you for the information.
Excellent tutorial.
I love the way you've created these videos.👌
This is wonderful
Thanks a lot for making this video 🎉
Great lesson!
This is a no brained subscribe! Great explanation
You are saving me man this is way to good.
There's a nice little tip to make things easier in the chart method: the added value of one note and its sharp (or flat) counterpart will always be 7. Ex: F# value is 6 and F value is 1, adding to 7. A is 4 and Ab is 3, and so on.
That means that if you want to discover a key signature that is a semitone away from one that you already know the value you just subtract it from 7. If I know that D has two sharps I automatically know that Db has 5 flats (7-2=5).
Llp
@@SirBelmerD ... BC and EF.... musicians need to remember there's no TONE or SEMITONE (British), or STEP or HALF STEP (USA) (sharps or flats) between B & C or between E & F. That's why those black keys are missing on a keyboard, and are adjacent frets on a guitar, etc.
You already know there is no Cb or B#.... (typo). All the best, and it is a little complicated, even after years of learning. 7 simple notes and only 5 sharps/flats (octave). It boggles the mind that [generally] all music ever written, in any style or type (western music) was created with so few piano keys/ guitar notes, etc. Yours in music. --- Doug
THANK YOU! These are awesome. I been doing this "live" for years with my students. Thank you for making an awesome, quick videos. You will be getting tons of views from my students!
Excellent! That was always the aim. "Here's a quick overview. Now go to your homework and review the video if you hit a point where you're lost or you forgot one of the rules." All the best!
Method #1 is my favorite. Learned that way and never looked back.
Love the chart method… will get to learning my one scale a week, too.
Very useful Spanish lesson. Thank you.
So useful! Thank you!
Thanks, you make learning easier
Once again thank you, I m watching little by little all of your videos
Excellent! So great to hear.
loveeee your videosss so much! keep doing them!
Thanks! New one coming in a week or two.
I didn't ever know there was any method other than the woodshed method, but I never called it that. My "woodshed" is the church on Sunday mornings. We still have old-fashioned hymnals.
This is awesome, thank you! Chart method for me!
Terrific stuff! Thanks a ton!
This helped me so much
Fantastic I’ve got now, thank you!
Thanks
It's very helpful!
I just signed for your channel!❤️❤️❤️
The return of one of the best music youtube channels
Thanks so much!
Thank you so much, it is very useful.
Kind regards.
I came up with a way to use the woodshed method to permanently learn my keys, but at a fast rate of about 3 keys per week. 6, if you include their relative minors. Pull up the circle of fifths on Google.
If you start at C Major and go right, each fifth is the key with one additional sharp. If you go left, each fifth is the key with one additional flat. So, I learn my keys not up the chromatic scale, but in an order with progressively increasing technicality.
Ex.
1) (start at top) C Major (0 accidentals)
2) (move right once) G Major (1 sharp)
3) (move left once) F Major (1 flat)
4) (move right twice) D Major (2 sharps)
5) (move left twice) Bb Major (2 flats)
...
Since the goal is to know them all anyway, this order is just a far simpler method of getting there.
Nice! That’s a common way to tackle them. Though I’ve had students learn all the white keys before the black keys. Not sure why they’d want to learn B major before Bb but as long as they learn them all eventually!
This one is perfect 👍. Thanks a lot
ty this was really helpful
I'll use the first mnemonic :)
As a violist, I used the string order for finding the major names being 1:1, counting from thickest string
C as 0 C Major
G as 1# G Major
D as 2## D Major
A as 3### A Major, but nothing else
I’m surprised I know and have used all three methods to some extent. I’ve practiced all 12 scales around the circle of fourths which helped me memorize more keys, however I have yet to memorize them all. I don’t usually get more than 3 # or b in the key, except the musical
I am currently in the pit band for, it used all the keys or close to all of them. I remember learning the chart and finally being able to remember how many # or b are in each key!
Musicals can be real challenging for keys! So many modulations!
This might actually help me with my chorus benchmark tomorrow
Excellent 👍 thank you
Trombones: start with C major and move around the circle of fifths counter-clockwise. Write the scales on 3X5 cards and do a random draw.
this is great thank you
Very good Sir. Thanks
This could be very helpful in teaching! Thx!
Excellent video!! I get it now!! 😃 and some added bonuses too. Always wanted to know how to ask what do demons eat in Spanish 😂
This video was A Major help
Haha. I see what you did there.
The tone I made was unnatural
thank you!
Thank you. 🎺
Thank you!😆
You are the best !!!
Awesome info Brad. Just wondering if you would be able to do a few videos on the concepts of music and how to structure a response in a test? That is one area that I need the most help with. Thanks.
What kinds of concepts did you have in mind?
@@BradHarrison Well to be honest I want to learn as much as possible so any really. In Australia our final exam is called the HSC and for music one of the tests is an excerpt of a piece that lasts about 60 seconds and we have 6 listens and a certain amount of time to answer the question... For example "Describe how the CONCEPTS of MUSIC are used in this excerpt" or "Describe the solo singer’s use of PITCH and EXPRESSIVE TECHNIQUES in this performance"...
I guess my issue is getting what I hear onto the paper in a well structured and written response. I am able to break down the different layers in my head, but I get stuck trying to explain them.
I see. That sort of analysis is tough to distill down into the types of videos I usually make. It's very abstract and tough to give rules and guidelines for. Personally, I find it useful to read scores while listening to recordings. It helps with ear training to see what you're hearing. You'll see details in expression markings in addition to just notes and rhythms. Also try listening to different recordings of the same piece by different players/ensembles. You learn a thing or two by listening to how half a dozen players approach the same concerto. You could also use each of your listens to focus on one specific element of music(pitch, rhythm, dynamics, orchestration, etc), rather than just let the whole things wash over your ears, and jot some notes down as you go. Focussing on smaller specific aspects of the piece can help you find interesting details to talk about. Hope that helps! Good luck!
@@BradHarrison Alright thanks, one other question. Could you do a video on how to know which scales work with different chords and cool jazz progressions?
nice video!
Very useful
Merci beaucoup for this.
My problem was solved, thank you sir
I like the "Two Rules" method the most. Even though I see the reasoning behind the chart method and how easy it is, I like having everything in my head. :)
Excellent!
I came for the music theory, but stayed for the Spanish lesson. Thanks.
;-)
Really enjoyed the chart method! And those Spanish phrases at the end really made me laugh out loud 🤣
Love when people mention those phrases! They were fun to put together.
@@BradHarrison my husband loved them too. I have screenshot them in case I ever go to Spain 😂
Watch out for those time share presentations! The high pressure sales tactics can be challenging to endure.