1. 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

2. More specifically a Perfect 5th . (P5)
What is a 5th?
More specifically a Perfect 5th . (P5)
7 half steps or
2. start counting on the first note, count up to 5, keeping to the key signature of the first note.

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

4. C

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

6. C D E F G

7. 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)

8. 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.

9. C G

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

11. G A B C D

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

13. C G D

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

15. C G D A

16. C G D A E

17. C G D A E B

18. C G D A E B Gb F#

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

20. F G A B C

21. 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.

22. C F G D A E B Gb F#

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

24. Bb C D E F

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

26. C F G Bb D A E B Gb F#

27. 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

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

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

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

31. 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

32. C a

33. 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)

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

35. C G a e

36. C G D a e b

37. C G D a e b A f#

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

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

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

41. Starting at A, count down 5 notes: A G F E D
Now for the flats.
Starting at A, count down 5 notes:
A G F E D
A 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.

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

43. Continue around the circle filling in all the minor keys
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.

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

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

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

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

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

49. Just to make things more complicated,
there are 3 different ways to play minor scales:
Pure
Harmonic: Raised 7th scale degree
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.