Key Signature Placement Order Lookup
Conventional pitch-class order for seven sharp/flat key signatures; staff octaves clef-specific.
Description
Look up the conventional sharp or flat letter order for key signatures.
The conventional order of key-signature accidentals differs for sharps and flats. This lookup returns their letter order, which is separate from their vertical positions on a particular staff.
When to use this tool
Look up the conventional sharp or flat letter order for key signatures. Use it when the input measurements and conventions below match the operation you need.
- Prepare accidental, respecting the measurement basis and boundaries below.
- Compare the worked example with your intended operation before reusing its result.
How to use the tool and how it works
- Enter every field in the input table using the stated units and exact supported selector spelling where applicable.
- Run the tool. Correct input errors before interpreting an output.
- Read the result fields below; use accompanying flags and the stated sign, boundary or model convention when interpreting a number.
Select the exact sharp or flat key from the table. The sharp sequence is F C G D A E B; the flat sequence is B E A D G C F. The stored sequence is returned as reference.1
| Input field | Meaning and units | Accepted input |
|---|---|---|
| accidental | Accidental. | Exact value: "sharp", "flat" |
| accidental | Built-in entry |
|---|---|
| "sharp" | ["F","C","G","D","A","E","B"] |
| "flat" | ["B","E","A","D","G","C","F"] |
| Output field | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| result | Object containing the following named result fields. |
| result.reference | The stored entry for the exact selected key; its type may be text, a number or a list. |
{
"input": {
"accidental": "sharp"
},
"output": {
"result": {
"reference": [
"F",
"C",
"G",
"D",
"A",
"E",
"B"
]
}
}
}Limitations and assumptions
- No key signature is inferred from music, and the tool does not place symbols for a clef or calculate an enharmonic key.
- Every declared field is required and unexpected fields are rejected. Numeric inputs must be finite; input errors are distinct from a valid false result or an explicitly qualified output.
- Extremely large inputs and nonfinite or excessively large outputs are rejected. List positions reported by the tool use zero-based indices unless stated otherwise.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Check the intended score, tuning or device configuration before applying a numerical reference. Use notation-aware or audio measurement methods when the task requires interpretation of a score or actual sound. Compare the scope of the nearby tools below before substituting one.
References
Similar or alternative tools
- key signature accidental count lookup
A key signature is tied to spelled tonic and major/natural-minor mode.
- parallel key lookup
Parallel keys retain the same spelled tonic while changing major/natural-minor mode.