If you’re familiar with the circle of fifths — or you just know your way around the key signatures — you may have noticed a few anomalies. For example, keys like B-sharp and F-flat major are seemingly absent, while others go by two names. When comparing C-sharp major and D-flat major, it’s easy to see these notes are exactly the same. 

C-sharp major: C#   D#    E#    F#   G#   A#   B#D-flat major:     Db   Eb     F     Gb   Ab   Bb    C

Likewise, their respective relative minors are also identical in tone.

A-sharp minor: A#    B#   C#    D#    E#    F#    G#B-flat minor:     Bb    C     Db    Eb     F     Gb    Ab

One Scale, Two Names

When scales are identical in this way, they’re known as enharmonic equivalents. This means that these scales are really just one scale going by two different names.

Notes and chords also have enharmonic equivalents. Technically (but not practically), each can go by an infinite amount of names. For example, E quadruple-flat could be another way of saying C. In practice, notes and scales rarely go by more than two names, and there are only six key signatures with enharmonic equivalents (see table below).

What Is the Point?

So, why bother keeping around two key signatures if their scales are the same? Because it provides the option of writing a scale using either sharps or flats. Since it’s best to use only one type of accidental in each composition, this option makes some key changes easier to compose and read.

For example, if switching from the key of F# major to its fifth, C# major (which contain 6 and 7 sharps, respectively), it would be silly to confuse the eyes and opt for the 5-flatted Db major instead. There are, however, exceptions to this advice, especially when exploring modal scales.

Enharmonic Key Signatures

Major / Relative Minor: No. of Sharps Enharmonic Key: No. of Flats

B major / G# minor 5 Cb major / Ab minor 7

F# major / D# minor 6 Gb major / Eb minor 6

C# major / A# minor 7 Db major / Bb minor 5

Why is there no G# major key?

Minor Scales: Natural, Harmonic, and Melodic

Key Signatures With Sharps

Key Signatures With Flats

C Major Scale on Bass

Parallel Keys and Scales

Constructing Tonic Triads

Natural Notes, Natural Signs and Accidentals in Music

Minor Triad Chords for Piano: Flats

Key Signature Tables

Major Triad Chords for Piano

Minor Triad Chords for Piano: Sharps

Minor Triad Chords for Piano

Minor Piano Scales for Beginners

key signature

Augmented Piano Triad Chords

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If you’re familiar with the circle of fifths — or you just know your way around the key signatures — you may have noticed a few anomalies. For example, keys like B-sharp and F-flat major are seemingly absent, while others go by two names. When comparing C-sharp major and D-flat major, it’s easy to see these notes are exactly the same. 

C-sharp major: C#   D#    E#    F#   G#   A#   B#D-flat major:     Db   Eb     F     Gb   Ab   Bb    C

Likewise, their respective relative minors are also identical in tone.

A-sharp minor: A#    B#   C#    D#    E#    F#    G#B-flat minor:     Bb    C     Db    Eb     F     Gb    Ab

One Scale, Two Names

When scales are identical in this way, they’re known as enharmonic equivalents. This means that these scales are really just one scale going by two different names.

Notes and chords also have enharmonic equivalents. Technically (but not practically), each can go by an infinite amount of names. For example, E quadruple-flat could be another way of saying C. In practice, notes and scales rarely go by more than two names, and there are only six key signatures with enharmonic equivalents (see table below).

What Is the Point?

So, why bother keeping around two key signatures if their scales are the same? Because it provides the option of writing a scale using either sharps or flats. Since it’s best to use only one type of accidental in each composition, this option makes some key changes easier to compose and read.

For example, if switching from the key of F# major to its fifth, C# major (which contain 6 and 7 sharps, respectively), it would be silly to confuse the eyes and opt for the 5-flatted Db major instead. There are, however, exceptions to this advice, especially when exploring modal scales.

Enharmonic Key Signatures

Major / Relative Minor: No. of Sharps Enharmonic Key: No. of Flats

B major / G# minor 5 Cb major / Ab minor 7

F# major / D# minor 6 Gb major / Eb minor 6

C# major / A# minor 7 Db major / Bb minor 5

Why is there no G# major key?

Minor Scales: Natural, Harmonic, and Melodic

Key Signatures With Sharps

Key Signatures With Flats

C Major Scale on Bass

Parallel Keys and Scales

Constructing Tonic Triads

Natural Notes, Natural Signs and Accidentals in Music

Minor Triad Chords for Piano: Flats

Key Signature Tables

Major Triad Chords for Piano

Minor Triad Chords for Piano: Sharps

Minor Triad Chords for Piano

Minor Piano Scales for Beginners

key signature

Augmented Piano Triad Chords

When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Cookies Settings Reject All Accept Cookies

If you’re familiar with the circle of fifths — or you just know your way around the key signatures — you may have noticed a few anomalies. For example, keys like B-sharp and F-flat major are seemingly absent, while others go by two names. When comparing C-sharp major and D-flat major, it’s easy to see these notes are exactly the same. 

C-sharp major: C#   D#    E#    F#   G#   A#   B#D-flat major:     Db   Eb     F     Gb   Ab   Bb    C

Likewise, their respective relative minors are also identical in tone.

A-sharp minor: A#    B#   C#    D#    E#    F#    G#B-flat minor:     Bb    C     Db    Eb     F     Gb    Ab

One Scale, Two Names

When scales are identical in this way, they’re known as enharmonic equivalents. This means that these scales are really just one scale going by two different names.

Notes and chords also have enharmonic equivalents. Technically (but not practically), each can go by an infinite amount of names. For example, E quadruple-flat could be another way of saying C. In practice, notes and scales rarely go by more than two names, and there are only six key signatures with enharmonic equivalents (see table below).

What Is the Point?

So, why bother keeping around two key signatures if their scales are the same? Because it provides the option of writing a scale using either sharps or flats. Since it’s best to use only one type of accidental in each composition, this option makes some key changes easier to compose and read.

For example, if switching from the key of F# major to its fifth, C# major (which contain 6 and 7 sharps, respectively), it would be silly to confuse the eyes and opt for the 5-flatted Db major instead. There are, however, exceptions to this advice, especially when exploring modal scales.

Enharmonic Key Signatures

Major / Relative Minor: No. of Sharps Enharmonic Key: No. of Flats

B major / G# minor 5 Cb major / Ab minor 7

F# major / D# minor 6 Gb major / Eb minor 6

C# major / A# minor 7 Db major / Bb minor 5

If you’re familiar with the circle of fifths — or you just know your way around the key signatures — you may have noticed a few anomalies. For example, keys like B-sharp and F-flat major are seemingly absent, while others go by two names. When comparing C-sharp major and D-flat major, it’s easy to see these notes are exactly the same. 

  • C-sharp major: C#   D#    E#    F#   G#   A#   B#D-flat major:     Db   Eb     F     Gb   Ab   Bb    C

Likewise, their respective relative minors are also identical in tone.

  • A-sharp minor: A#    B#   C#    D#    E#    F#    G#B-flat minor:     Bb    C     Db    Eb     F     Gb    Ab

One Scale, Two Names

When scales are identical in this way, they’re known as enharmonic equivalents. This means that these scales are really just one scale going by two different names.

Notes and chords also have enharmonic equivalents. Technically (but not practically), each can go by an infinite amount of names. For example, E quadruple-flat could be another way of saying C. In practice, notes and scales rarely go by more than two names, and there are only six key signatures with enharmonic equivalents (see table below).

What Is the Point?

So, why bother keeping around two key signatures if their scales are the same? Because it provides the option of writing a scale using either sharps or flats. Since it’s best to use only one type of accidental in each composition, this option makes some key changes easier to compose and read.

For example, if switching from the key of F# major to its fifth, C# major (which contain 6 and 7 sharps, respectively), it would be silly to confuse the eyes and opt for the 5-flatted Db major instead. There are, however, exceptions to this advice, especially when exploring modal scales.

Enharmonic Key Signatures

Major / Relative Minor: No. of Sharps Enharmonic Key: No. of Flats

B major / G# minor 5 Cb major / Ab minor 7

F# major / D# minor 6 Gb major / Eb minor 6

C# major / A# minor 7 Db major / Bb minor 5

  • Why is there no G# major key?

  • Minor Scales: Natural, Harmonic, and Melodic

  • Key Signatures With Sharps

  • Key Signatures With Flats

  • C Major Scale on Bass

  • Parallel Keys and Scales

  • Constructing Tonic Triads

  • Natural Notes, Natural Signs and Accidentals in Music

  • Minor Triad Chords for Piano: Flats

  • Key Signature Tables

  • Major Triad Chords for Piano

  • Minor Triad Chords for Piano: Sharps

  • Minor Triad Chords for Piano

  • Minor Piano Scales for Beginners

  • key signature

  • Augmented Piano Triad Chords

Why is there no G# major key?

Why is there no G# major key?

Minor Scales: Natural, Harmonic, and Melodic

Minor Scales: Natural, Harmonic, and Melodic

Key Signatures With Sharps

Key Signatures With Sharps

Key Signatures With Flats

Key Signatures With Flats

C Major Scale on Bass

C Major Scale on Bass

Parallel Keys and Scales

Parallel Keys and Scales

Constructing Tonic Triads

Constructing Tonic Triads

Natural Notes, Natural Signs and Accidentals in Music

Natural Notes, Natural Signs and Accidentals in Music

Minor Triad Chords for Piano: Flats

Minor Triad Chords for Piano: Flats

Key Signature Tables

Key Signature Tables

Major Triad Chords for Piano

Major Triad Chords for Piano

Minor Triad Chords for Piano: Sharps

Minor Triad Chords for Piano: Sharps

Minor Triad Chords for Piano

Minor Triad Chords for Piano

Minor Piano Scales for Beginners

Minor Piano Scales for Beginners

key signature

key signature

Augmented Piano Triad Chords

Augmented Piano Triad Chords

Home

Entertainment

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Activities

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About Us Advertise Careers Privacy Policy Editorial Guidelines Contact Terms of Use EU Privacy

LiveAbout is part of the Dotdash Meredith publishing family.

Home

Home

Entertainment

Careers

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About Us Advertise Careers Privacy Policy Editorial Guidelines Contact Terms of Use EU Privacy

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LiveAbout is part of the Dotdash Meredith publishing family.

When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Cookies Settings Reject All Accept Cookies