If you had asked me to name the notes in the Eb major scale a month ago it would have taken me more than 30 seconds to answer and I might have needed fingers or paper. And in time, I trust that I will be able to ditch the paper (though I suspect my fingers will always come in handy). I am counting on my fingers and writing things down that would be simple enough to do in my head with practice.

It's a lot like learning basic arithmetic for the first time. So, I have decided to pursue rote memorization to bolster my understanding of fundamentals of musical notation and theory. I think it's a cultural value-judgment that has served me well in general but I think it has been holding me back in music. Now try to remember the scales for the flats and the sharps in Major and Minor.In general, I don't approve of rote memorization. A# minor has seven sharps in its key signature. Note: A# minor may not be on the 'Circle of Fifths. Now lets remember the minor scales for the sharps: e-b-f#-c# -g#-d#-a# : elmo's-bank-for-christmas-gives-doll-angels C -sharp Major scale has seven sharps in its key signature. Note: You may not be able to see C-sharp (C#) major on the 'Circle of Fifths. Remember Major scales for sharps' key signature by creating a mnemonic for G-D-A-E-B-F#-C#: Go-Down-At-Elmo's-Bank-For-Christmas. Note: A ♭ minor may not be on the 'Circle of Fifths. Now lets remember the minor scales for the flats: d-g-c-f-b ♭-e ♭-a ♭: dog's-grocery-club-fills-basket-eggs-again C ♭ Major has seven flats in its key signature. Note: You may not be able to see C ♭ major on the 'Circle of Fifths. Remember the Major scales in order for flats' key signature by creating a mnemonic for F-Bb-Eb-Ab-Db-Gb-Cb: Frank-Buys-Eggs-At-Dog's-Grocery-Club. Remember all the sharps in order in a key signature by using a funny saying: FCGDAEB: Finally-Cats-Give-Dogs-Awful-Energy-Bites.

To remember the total of Flats in a key signature in order, memorize the following : BEAD -GCF. The reason why it is so important to learn the Circle of Fifths are because it will help you to identify key signatures for Major and minor keys, find related keys, understand the difference between relative and parallel keys and remember the order of sharps and flats in key signatures.

How to memorize order of flats