  
7
Circle
of Fifths
The major scales and their appropriate sharps or flats can be arranged
in a sequence called the circle of fifths.
As you add one sharp to a key signature, you ascend five letter
names. As you add one flat to a key signature, you descend five
letter names.
Sharp keys:
|
|
 |
Flat keys: |
|
C
D E F G |
1 sharp = G |
|
C B A G F |
1 flat = F |
G
A B C D |
2 sharps = D |
|
F E D C Bb |
2 flats = Bb |
D
E F G A |
3 sharps = A |
|
B A G F Eb |
3 flats = Eb |
A
B C D E |
4 sharps = E |
|
E D C B Ab |
4 flats = Ab |
E
F G A B |
5 sharps = B |
|
A G F E Db |
5 flats = Db |
B
C D E F# |
6 sharps = F# |
|
D C B A Gb |
6 flats = Gb |
F#
G A B C#
|
7 sharps = C# |
|
G F E D Cb |
7 flats = Cb |
With the key of C at the top, the fifths lead clockwise to G, then
to D, and so on around the circle back to C. Note that at the bottom
of the circle, the keys with sharps and flats must overlap. These
three sets of keys, each with two key signatures, are called enharmonic
keys.
Circle
of 5ths--major keys
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