If you're looking at a piece of music and you need to know what key you're in, this table should help.

Look at the music and see what sharps or flats there are.

 
Key of No. of Sharps Notes involved
C 0              
G 1 F#            
D 2 F# C#          
A 3 F# C# G#        
E 4 F# C# G# D#      
B 5 F# C# G# D# A#    
F# 6 F# C# G# D# A# E#  
C# 7 F# C# G# D# A# E# B#
Key of No. of Flats Notes involved
C 0              
F 1 Bb            
Bb 2 Bb Eb          
Eb 3 Bb Eb Ab        
Ab 4 Bb Eb Ab Db      
Db 5 Bb Eb Ab Db Gb    
Gb 6 Bb Eb Ab Db Gb Cb  
Cb 7 Bb Eb Ab Db Gb Cb Fb


Also see my Tip 196 on the subject.


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