Music Theory Cheat Sheet: Circle of Fifths

Date:2020/2/21 22:42:58 Hits:

Here’s a convenient chart that shows the Circle of Fifths and Major/Relative Minor* key signatures. This is a great tool if you don’t already have this music theory memorized, and it forms a foundation that highlights the relationships between notes, key signatures, and basic harmony.

There are a few ways to use the Circle of Fifths. Note that uppercase letters, such as A and I, indicate Major, while lowercase letters, such as b and ii, indicate minor.

Following the notes clockwise from C, the distance between each note is the interval of a fifth.
Example: C to G, G to D, etc.
Following the notes counterclockwise, the distance between each interval is a fourth.
Example: C to F, F to Bb, etc.
Moving clockwise from C, each note adds a sharp to the key signature.
Example: G has one sharp, D has two sharps, etc.
Moving counterclockwise from C, each note adds a flat to the key signature.
Example: F has one flat, Bb has two flats, etc.
To find the primary chords within any key — I, IV, and V — look to either side of the I. Staying within the key signature, these are all Major chords.
Example: In the key of C, C is the I, F is the IV, and G is the V.
The same formula works for minor keys as well. Staying within the key signature, these are all minor chords.
Example: In the key of a minor, a is the i, d is the iv, and e is the v.
Starting on any Major key, the adjacent notes and their accompanying Relative Minors make up the first six scale tones.
Example: In the key of F, F is the I, g is the ii, a is the iii, Bb is the IV, C is the V, and d is the vi.
Using this same example, the chord quality that is built from each scale tone is revealed:
the capital letters are Major chords; lowercase are minor chords.
Example: F is a Major chord, g is a minor chord, a is a minor chord, Bb is a Major chord, etc.
* Relative Minor

Relative Minor is the sixth scale degree of its related Major scale. In the Circle of Fifths, the Relative Minor is the lowercase letter located inside the circle, next to the capitalized Major key. Notice that the Relative Minor is also three half-steps below its related Major.
Example: If C is the Major key, then a is its Relative Minor.
Relative Minor scales share the same key signature as their related Major scales but use a different tonic, or starting note.
Example: If C is the Major scale, the seven scale tones are C-D-E-F-G-A and B, containing no notes with sharps or flats. The Relative Minor scale, a minor, has the same notes, but the tonic, or starting note, is a. The a minor scale is built this way: A-B-C-D-E-F and G.
Download the Music Theory Cheat Sheet here.
Print it out and put it in your instrument case. Keep it handy as a quick reference. It will help in rehearsals, jam sessions, or any time you’re playing and need some music theory clarity. Music theory is an effective skill for being able to communicate with other musicians efficiently, as well as increasing your own ability to analyze, improvise, and even create music.

Prev:MOTU MICROLITE

Next:Apogee Symphony MkII SYM2

Leave a message

Message List

Comments Loading...

Products Category

Products Tags

Fmuser Sites

Music Theory Cheat Sheet: Circle of Fifths

Leave a message

Message List