D

Major scale example:

In the video, we ask you to try to build D major. Clearly, we need to start on D and apply the
pattern TTSTTTS - the image below illustrates this and it also shows us that this scale requires an
F# and a C#:

Keys and Key Signatures

Key Signatures:
In the video we talked about the fact that key signatures are very useful in helping with the
appearance of written music. The following is the tune 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star' written in the
key of B (5 sharps) without a key signature. Although this is a very simple melody, you can see that
writing sharps in front of the notes that need them makes the music look messy and difficult to
follow - particularly if you were sight reading this music.

The image below is the same melody using the key signature for B major. In this case, the key
signature tells us (right at the start of the line) that all Fs, Cs, Gs, Ds and As will be sharpen and this
makes the music easier to read as it is not cluttered with accidentals.
Circle of 5ths:

1. The order of sharps and flats:

Just to reiterate from the video, when sharps and flats appear in a key signature, they always do so
in a specific order.

For sharps, the order is: F C G D A E B (clockwise round the circle of 5ths)

For flats, the order is: B E A D G C F (anticlockwise around the circle of 5ths)

2. Reading Key Signatures:

So - imagine a key signature with 3 sharps.

We know that the sharps will be F, C and G (in that order) so we will count 3 steps from C. So we
can say that the key represented by 3 sharps is A major. We talk about the circle of 5ths in the
video but it may be helpful to have a more detailed look at it here.

The following image shows the circle of 5ths so please feel free to download it and keep it for
reference: