Which sequence correctly lists the order of sharps?

Which sequence correctly lists the order of sharps?

• A. BEADGCF
• B. CDEFGAB
• C. FCGDAEB
• D. ADEGCFB

Answer: (C)

In music notation, sharps appear in a fixed order when building key signatures: F, C, G, D, A, E, B. Starting from no sharps, each added sharp follows that sequence, so the first sharp is F#, then C#, then G#, and so on. This order is tied to how keys progress by fifths, and a common mnemonic to remember it is “Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle.” The sequence given matches this standard order exactly, which is why it’s the correct listing of sharps. Other sequences either reflect the order used for flats or mix up the order, so they don’t fit.

In music notation, sharps appear in a fixed order when building key signatures: F, C, G, D, A, E, B. Starting from no sharps, each added sharp follows that sequence, so the first sharp is F#, then C#, then G#, and so on. This order is tied to how keys progress by fifths, and a common mnemonic to remember it is “Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle.” The sequence given matches this standard order exactly, which is why it’s the correct listing of sharps. Other sequences either reflect the order used for flats or mix up the order, so they don’t fit.