Circle of Fifths

Purpose: The Circle of Fifths is a tool used to memorize which notes are in every Major key. Some versions include the minor keys as well, however, we will study them as "Relative Keys"

Step-By-Step Instructions:

1. Complete the alphabet (write in all the letters, from left to right, of the musical alphabet e.g. A,B,C,D,E,F,G,A note: when you get to "G" the ext letter is "A")
2. Find Key-Note (also called the Tonic) on the Circle of Fifths.  
3. How many Sharps (#) or Flats (b) does the key get? The number near it tells you how many sharps or flats the key gets. Example: E has four sharps (#), while Eb has three flats (b).
4. Which Notes are Sharps (#) or Flats (b)? Go to the "Order of Sharps" or the "Order of Flats" below. ALWAYS start from the beginning of the order and take the appropriate number. Example: E has four sharps (F#, C#, G#, and D#) while Eb has three flats (Bb, Eb, Ab).
5. Write them in! Simply write the sharp(#) or flat (b) symbols in immediately after each letter name.

Order of Sharps (#): F C G D A E B

Order of Flats (b): B E A D G C F

Circle of Fifths Worksheet

The Keys of "B" and "Eb" have been done for you as examples.

Key-Note

A

Ab

B

Bb

C

D

Db

E

Eb

F

F#

G

Gb