The A Major Scale
The A major scale contains three sharps: F#, C# and G#.
Accent the first of each group of four sixteenth notes (i.e. the note which occurs on the beat) as indicated by the accent sign L.
Written below is a summary of the major scales so far discussed.
From this table you will notice that as the number of sharps increases, each new key is a 5th higher than the previous key. Thus G, with one sharp, is a 5th higher than C, which has no sharps. D, with two sharps, is a fifth higher than G and A, with three sharps is a 5th higher than D. From this, you can calculate that the key with four sharps will be a 5th higher than A, which is E.
This relationship of 5ths also applies to each new sharp introduced; G# is a 5th higher than C#, which is a 5th higher than F# Thus the key with 4 sharps, E major, will have F#, C#, G# and D#. Using the pattern of 5ths will help you to remember the keys and their key Signatures.
To calculate relative minors, simply remember that each one shares the same key signature as its relative major and is based upon the 6th note of the major scale. For E, C# is the 6th note, and thus C# minor is the relative; sharing the F#, C#, G#, D# key Signature
