Circle of 5 ths This is a tool

What is a 5 th? More specifically a Perfect 5 th. (P 5) 1.

Using your “keyboard” Starting on C, count up: CDEFG. C to G is a

The next key signature is G Add 1 # to the key signature, which

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

Continue from G GABCD G to D is a Perfect 5 th

Add 1# to the key signature 7 th scale degree is C#.

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

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

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

Continue from F, count down 5 F E D C Bb F down to

Add 1 b to the key signature 4 th scale degree is Eb

Continue filling in your Circle of 5 ths up to 6 flats. And fill

That takes care of all the major keys. Now on to minor. Review the

Using your keyboard. Starting on A, count up: ABCDE. A to E is a

2 nd In the key of E minor this is F, so we add

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

Continue around the circle filling in all the minor keys. Make sure you fill

Now try it again on a new blank worksheet. Can you remember all the

Just to make things more complicated, there are 3 different ways to play minor

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Circle of 5 ths 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 5 th? More specifically a Perfect 5 th. (P 5) 1. 7 half steps or 2. start counting on the first note, count up to 5, keeping to the key signature of the first note.

1 0 C 3 2 D 6 4 E 5 7 F G

Using your “keyboard” Starting on C, count up: CDEFG. C to G is a Perfect 5 th.

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)

7 th 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.

C G

Continue from G GABCD G to D is a Perfect 5 th

G A B C D

Add 1# to the key signature 7 th scale degree is C#.

C G D

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

C G D A

C G D A E

C G D A E B

C G 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 5 th

F G A B C

Add 1 b to the key signature on the 4 th scale degree of the new scale. FGAB so B is the 4 th. We make it Bb.

C G F D A E B Gb F#

Continue from F, count down 5 F E D C Bb F down to Bb is a Perfect 5 th

Bb C D E F

Add 1 b to the key signature 4 th scale degree is Eb

C G F Bb D A E B Gb F#

Continue filling in your Circle of 5 ths up to 6 flats. And fill in the enharmonic equivalents for 5 b and 7#, and 5# and 7 b

C G F Bb D Eb A E B Gb F#

C G F Bb D Eb A Ab E B Gb F#

C G F Bb D Eb A Ab E Db C# Gb F# B Cb

That takes care of all the major keys. Now on to minor. Review the half step/whole step formula of the minor scale. WHWWHWW

C a

Using your keyboard. Starting on A, count up: ABCDE. A to E is a Perfect 5 th. 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)

2 nd 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 a e

C G a D e b

C G a D e b f# A

C G a D e b A f# c# E

C G a D e b A f# c# g# ab E B

C G D a e b A f# c# g# ab eb d# E B Gb F#

Now for the flats. Starting at A, count down 5 notes: AGFED A down to D is a Perfect 5 th Add 1 b to the key signature on the 6 th scale degree of the new scale. D E F G A B, so B is the 6 th. We make it Bb.

C G F D a d e b A f# c# g# ab eb d# E B Gb F#

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.

C G F Bb D a d e g b A f# c# g# ab eb d# E B Gb F#

C G F Bb D a d e g Eb b c A f# c# g# ab eb d# E B Gb F#

C G F Bb D a d e g Eb b c c# f Ab A f# g# ab eb d# E B Gb F#

C G F Bb D a d e g Eb b c c# f bb Ab Db C# A f# g# ab eb d# Gb F# E B Cb

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. Pure 2. Harmonic: Raised 7 th scale degree 3. Melodic: ascending, raised 6 th and 7 th 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.