Circle of 5ths

This is a tool to help you remember all the major and minor key signatures

2 Important things to know:

Formula of whole steps and half steps

Major: WWHWWWH

Minor (pure): WHWWHWW

What is a 5th?More specifically a Perfect 5th . (P5)

1.7 half stepsor

2. start counting on the first note, count up to 5, keeping to the key signature of the first note.

0 2 4 5 7

1 3 6

C D E F G

C

Using your “keyboard”

Starting on C, count up: CDEFG.

C to G is a Perfect 5th.

C D E F G

The next key signature is G

Add 1 # to the key signature, which note (scale degree) of the new scale is

it?

(hint: you can use the scale formula to figure it out)

7th

In the key of G this is F, so we add an F#

Going clockwise, fill in the name and key signature of this new key.

CG

Continue from GGABCD

G to D is a Perfect 5th

G C DA B

Add 1# to the key signature

7th scale degree is C#.

CG

D

Continue and complete your circle of fifths up to 6#s.

CG

D

A

CG

D

A

E

CG

D

A

E

B

CG

D

A

E

B

Gb F#

Now we will look at the keys that go counter clockwise.

We will be adding flats this time.

Starting at C, count down 5 notes:CBAGF

C down to F is a Perfect 5th

G CF A B

Add 1b to the key signature on the 4th scale degree of the new scale.

FGAB so B is the 4th.

We make it Bb.

CG

D

A

E

B

Gb F#

F

Continue from F, count down 5

F E D C Bb

F down to Bb is a Perfect 5th

FC D E

Bb

Add 1b to the key signature

4th scale degree is Eb

CG

D

A

E

B

Gb F#

F

Bb

Continue filling in your Circle of 5ths

up to 6 flats.

And fill in the enharmonic equivalents for 5b and 7#, and 5# and 7b

CG

D

A

E

B

Gb F#

F

Bb

Eb

CG

D

A

E

B

Gb F#

F

Bb

Eb

Ab

CG

D

A

E

BCb

Gb F#

F

Bb

Eb

Ab

DbC#

That takes care of all the major keys.

Now on to minor.

Review the half step/whole step formula of the minor scale.

W H W W H W W

C

a

Using your keyboard. Starting on A, count up: ABCDE.

A to E is a Perfect 5th.

Add 1 # to the key signature, which note (scale degree) of the new scale is it?

(hint: use the scale formula to figure it out)

2nd

In the key of E minor this is F, so we add an F#

Going clockwise, fill in the name and key signature of this new key.

Continue filling in minor keys up to 6#

C

G

ae

CG

Da

e

b

CG

D

A

ae

b

f#

CG

D

A

E

ae

b

f#

c#

CG

D

A

E

B

ae

b

f#

c#

g#ab

CG

D

A

E

B

Gb F#

ae

b

f#

c#

g#abeb d#

Now for the flats. Starting at A, count down 5 notes:

A G F E DA down to D is a Perfect 5th

Add 1b to the key signature on the 6th scale degree of the new scale.D E F G A B, so B is the 6th.

We make it Bb.

CG

D

A

E

B

Gb F#

F

ae

b

f#

c#

g#abeb d#

d

Continue around the circle filling in all the minor keys.

Make sure you fill in the enharmonic equivalents for the 5,6, and 7 bs and #s.

CG

D

A

E

B

Gb F#

F

Bba

e

b

f#

c#

g#abeb d#

d

g

CG

D

A

E

B

Gb F#

F

Bb

Eb

ae

b

f#

c#

g#abeb d#

d

g

c

CG

D

A

E

B

Gb F#

F

Bb

Eb

Ab

ae

b

f#

c#

g#abeb d#

d

g

c

f

CG

D

A

E

BCb

Gb F#

F

Bb

Eb

Ab

DbC#

ae

b

f#

c#

g#abeb d#

d

g

c

f

bb

Now try it again on a new blank worksheet.

Can you remember all the steps?

Just to make things more complicated, there are 3 different ways to play minor scales:1.Pure2.Harmonic: Raised 7th scale degree3.Melodic: ascending, raised 6th and 7th

descending, same as pure.

Listen to them as I play them on the piano.

Let’s see if you can recognize them as I play.

Indicate on your paper which one I am playing.