How to Learn the Order of Flats

A flat is a symbol used in writing music that lowers a note by one half step. Key signatures written with sharps and flats always follow a certain order. This order allows the musician to easily determine the key of a piece of music they are about to play. The order of flats is found by simply starting with B flat and moving up in four step intervals until arriving at F flat.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Start with B flat.

2. Move up four steps to E flat.

3. Count up four more steps to A flat.

4. Jump up four more steps to D flat.

5. Ascend four more steps to G flat.

6. Go up four more steps to C flat.

7. Finish by moving up four more steps to F flat.

Tips & Warnings

• The circle of fifths is a diagram that shows the order of sharps and flats and their major and minor key signatures.
• Flats in a key signature affect every note in that particular piece of music. Flats that are used as accidentals in the piece (added when needed) only affect the notes in that particular measure.
• To determine the key you are in when dealing with a key signature written in flats, find the second to last flat and this is the key you are in. The only exception to this rule is F major which only has one flat--B flat.
• An easy way to remember the order of flats is by remembering this phrase: BEAD Go Catch Flies. Also, remember the order of flats is opposite from the order of sharps.

Resources

• For a diagram of the circle of fifths, go to carolinaclassical.com.