Key signature worksheets

Key signature identification asks students to look at the sharps or flats after the clef and name the major key. Writing practice reverses the task: students see a key name and place each sharp or flat on the correct line or space, in the correct order.

Start with identification, then add writing once students can recite the order of accidentals. A mixed page combines both tasks for review or a quick check before a scales unit.

Sharps always appear in the order F, C, G, D, A, E, B, and flats in the reverse order: B, E, A, D, G, C, F. For sharp keys, go up a half step (semitone) from the last sharp to find the major key; F♯ points to G major. For flat keys, the second-to-last flat names the key; B♭ and E♭ give B♭ major. F major, with one flat, and C major, with none, are worth memorizing.

Every major key shares its signature with a relative minor three half steps below the tonic, such as C major and A minor. Choose major keys, minor keys, or both; with both, students name the major key and its relative minor for each signature.

Begin with keys of up to four sharps or flats, and practice sharp and flat keys separately before mixing them. Move to the full set, up to six sharps or flats, when students can name the smaller set reliably, then connect each signature to the major scale that uses it.