Instead of getting all the sharps and flats in the score amongst the notes, we get them neatly at the beginning of every stave. We also need key signatures because they make it easier to read and write music. The point is that the sharps and the flats maintain the right major and minor scale patterns. The same applies to every key signature no matter if it is major or minor and no matter if it has 2 sharps or 6 flats or nothing at all. The scale of G major requires an F sharp so that the pattern of whole steps and half steps is according to the major scale formula. These steps are according to the major scale formula. And since the pattern is the same, we get the same sound (except that it begins higher or lower).įor example, the scale of G major requires an F sharp so that the distance between the 6th and 7th notes is of a whole step, and the distance between the 7th and the last note is of a half step.

The sharps and flats of all key signatures are there so that no matter which note our major and minor scales start on, that pattern of half steps and whole steps is always the same. Half steps and whole steps on the keyboard The same half steps and whole steps notated on the musical staff.

B flat major key signature