How to Learn Sharp Key Signatures and Play 100% Correct Scale Notes

Recently a very technically proficient guitar player came to my studio. After he had played a number of perfectly executed scales, chord progressions and various other guitar skills such as sweep picking, two handed tapping etc., I began to wonder why the guy wanted to or, indeed, needed to take lessons! After I questioned him as to why he thought he needed lessons, it turned out that whenever he audition for a band he never got the job. This puzzled me as he did play the guitar better than most players I have encountered. 

I thought the best approach would be to test out his theoretical knowledge as physically he was doing well. “Do you know how many sharps are present in the key of  A?”, I asked the guitarist. From the look on the guy’s face you could tell he had no idea whatsoever about what I was talking about. As we spoke more about his approach to guitar playing, I discovered that this chap spent most of his time sitting in front of guitar videos copying everything. The problem with this “monkey-see, monkey-do” style of learning is that, no matter how you look at it, you can’t possibly learn everything you need to know about music from a one-hour video. 

Which brings me to the point: 85% of guitar players totally shoot themselves in the foot by not taking the time to learn the basics of the language of music. Our guitar playing friend never passed the band auditions because he wasn’t flexible in his skills i.e., because he was (a) unaware of what it was that he was playing and (b) unable to adapt to the singers request to change the key of the song. He was basically a well-trained, unemployable robot! 

Here’s something everyone needs to know if you want to progress as a guitarist: key signatures. The term “key signature” refers to the number of sharps or flats required to play in a certain key correctly. Each key has a specific number of sharps or flats that all good musicians know by heart. The problem is remembering how many sharps of flats go with which key. 

The solution: Use sonic shapes to help you visually remember your key signatures. 

Tip #1. The following note sequence will help you accurately remember the names of the sharp keys: 

Starting from the first string play the following notes: 

1st string, third fret = G

2nd string, third fret = D

3rd string, 2nd fret = A

4th string, 2nd fret = E

5th string, 2nd fret = B

6th string, 2nd fret = F# 

Tip #2. The string number will also help you recall the number of sharps contained in each key e.g., the key of ‘D’ is on the second string. Therefore it contains two sharps. The key of ‘B’ is on the fifth string. Therefore that key must contain five sharps. 

See how easy that is? 

Tip #3. To learn the names of the sharps contained in each key simply go back one fret from the name of the key as follows. Key of ‘G’ is on the first string. Therefore it contains one sharp and the name of that sharp is F# — the note one fret back from the ‘G’ note. As each scale progressively adds more sharps to the previous scale we work out the progressive number of sharps like this. 

Another example: 

The key of ‘A’ is on the third string. Therefore it must contain three sharps. They are F# one fret back from the note ‘G’ on the first string, C# one fret back from the note ‘D’ on the second string, and G# one fret back from the note ‘A’ on the third string. 

Once you learn the visual layout of the key signatures on the fretboard you will never forget them or get them confused, which means 100% correct notes when you play music on your guitar. 

About the Author:
Mike Hayes is a guitar teacher, author, performing musician and session guitarist with over 30 years of professional experience. Find out more about how to learn guitar fast with his popular FREE e-course

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