Music Theory Essentials: A Step-by-Step Introduction to Music Theory for All Musicians by Press Barton

Author:Press, Barton [Press, Barton]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-11-23T00:00:00+00:00

It is called The Circle of Fifths because each of the Major and Minor keys are separated by an equal distance: an interval of a perfect fifth (seven semitones). So, if you start at the top with the key of C Major/A Minor, and move clockwise adding an interval of a perfect fifth, you reach G Major/E minor.

The numbers inside the circle show the number of sharps or flats in the key signature, with the sharp keys going clockwise, and the flat keys counterclockwise from C major which has no sharps or flats. The circular arrangement also identifies enharmonic relationships in the circle, e.g., six sharps for the F♯ = G♭ Major keys and six flats for the D♯ = E♭ for minor keys. The major keys C♯ major or C♭ major are also indicated, and their positioning right next to D♭ major or B major is also significant. C♯ major or C♭ major can sometimes be more conveniently spelled as D♭ major or B major because they are also enharmonically equivalent.

Major Keys

Most Western music is written in one of the major keys. As discussed earlier, the key contains eight notes, with the eighth note duplicating the first (tonic) note one octave higher (double its frequency). But of course, these notes are different for each Major Key because the scale on which it is based starts on different notes.

Moreover, all major keys have the same pattern of intervals—half steps and whole steps—beginning with the note that names the key. That pattern is: whole step, whole step, half step, whole step, whole step, whole step, half step, and of course, it is the same pattern as that of the scale on which the key is based.

As the Circle of Fifths diagram shows, there are fifteen possible “major keys”.

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