Just since we're already in musical mnemonics - a few different ways to remember the order of sharps on the staff I've recently encountered (I am no musician, most of the time)

  • Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle (or for the flats - which is the reverse: Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles' Father)
  • (pointed to me by a scar faery) Father Christmas Gave Dad An Electric Blanket
  • , and for the flats: Blanket Explodes And Dad Gets Cold Feet
  • Flower Children Get Dumber After Every Bummer
  • Fast Cars Get Driven Away Even Buicks
  • Fat Cats Get Drunk After Eating Beans

With so many other arrangements appearing in music theory in the western staff system, and the letter notation for notes (as opposed to the Spanish/Italian/whatever "Do Re Mi Fa Sol La Si...") there must be other helpful mnemonic devices as well...