Sharp keys

Many pieces use the same accidentals from start to finish. Instead of writing them note by note, they are written once next to the clef: the key signature. It applies to the whole staff and to every octave: a sharp on the F5 line also affects F4.

Sharps always appear in the same order: F, C, G, D, A, E, B. Each major key adds one more. And there is a trick to name it: the last sharp is a semitone below the tonic.

• One sharp (F♯): G major.
• Two sharps (F♯, C♯): D major.
• Three sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯): A major.
• No accidentals: C major.

Each signature also serves a minor key (the relative minor, three semitones down: E minor with one sharp). For now, name the major.