In this section, we focus on the F♯ tonic position. The other four black tonic positions will be discussed in the flat (♭) section.

When the tonic of a major key shifts from a white key to its sharp (♯) position, all notes in the key move forward one position (e.g., B♭ becomes B).


Rule for Identifying Sharp (♯) Key Signatures

Add seven to the natural white tonic's position value on the Rectangle of Fifths.

For example, -1 plus 7 equals six sharps (♯).

Important Note:

  • Each note in a key has a scale degree between one and seven, not to be confused with keyboard position values.

  • In major keys, major chords are found at scale degrees 1, 4, and 5

Recognizing Major Fourth and Fifth Notes

Tonic:

  • The tonic is the starting note of the key.

Major Fourth (Subdominant):

  • The major fourth is one keyboard position below the tonic.

Major Fifth (Dominant):

  • The major fifth is one keyboard position above the tonic.

Chords

The third note of a chord will be one value higher than the root note value.

Major sharp chords add brightness and tension to music compositions, enhancing harmonic progressions and dynamic shifts.