[Harp-L] Figuring Sharps in Keys

[Arthur Jennings <timeistight@xxxxxxxxx>]

Each time you move one step clockwise around the circle of fifths, you
sharpen one more not. The note that you sharpen is always the 7th of the new
scale.

For example: 'C' has no sharps. The next key around is 'G' so you sharpen
the 'F', the seventh note of the 'G' major scale. Next key around the circle
is 'D'. You keep the F# and sharpen the 'C', which gives you two sharps in
the key signature. Next comes 'A' (three sharps), 'E' (four sharps), 'B'
(five sharps), F# (six sharps) and C# (seven sharps). At that point you
usually switch to flat keys (C# = Db, five flats) and then start removing
flats as you continue around: Ab (four flats), Eb (three flats), Bb (two
flats), 'F' (one flat) and finally 'C' (no flats) which is where we started.

-- 
Arthur Jennings
http://www.timeistight.com