Circle of Fifths in Music Theory. How to Easily Recall It.

Spending hard time to recall the circle of fifths in music theory? There is a diagram that may help you easily recall it.

Introduction

Three important terms are

1. Root notes of circle of fifths spatially aligned like Diagram 1
2. The initial spatial position of “C” & “G” in Diagram 1
3. The Interval between two vertically adjacent letters is whole step in Diagram 1

Please take a look at Diagram 1 first, and try the following examples.

Digram 1. Spatially Aligned Root Notes of the Circle of Fifths

The Content Starts Here!

Let’s Try First!

1. Suppose you are in the key of C. Go back to Diagram 1 as you need.
2. Notes are C, D, E, F, G, A, and B
3. G is the 5th in the key of C
4. F is whole step down from G
5. Sharpen F when you move from the key of C to the key of G
6. Now you are in the key of G, and notes are G, A, B, C, D, E, and F#

One More Time! You Move upward

1. Suppose you are in the key of G
2. Notes are G, A, B, C, D, E, and F#
3. D is the 5th in the key of G
4. C is whole step down from D
5. Sharpen C when you move from the key of G to the key of D
6. Now you are in the key of D, and notes are D, E, F#, G, A, B, and C#

On the Contrary, You Move Downward

1. Suppose you are in the key of D
2. Notes are D, E, F#, G, A, B, and C#
3. C# is the 7th in the key of D
4. Flatten C# when you move from the key of D to the key of G
5. C is whole step down from D
6. Now you are in the key of G, and notes are G, A, B, C, D, E, and F#

Tips for This Rule

Start with the initial spatial position of “C” & “G” like Diagram 2.

Then, list all notes that are a whole step above or below both “C” and “G”.

The procedures can be described as follows:
C -> D (Upward)-> E -> …
C -> Bb (Downward) -> Ab -> …
G -> A (Upward) -> B -> …
G -> F (Downward) -> Eb -> …

Notes in Scales

Notes changes as key changes. When you change the key from “C” to “G”, sharpen 4th (“F”) which is spatially below “G”. Notes is now changed from “C, D, E, F, G, A, B” to “G, A, B, C, D, E, F#”.

When you change the key from “G” to “C”, flatten 7th (“F#”) which is sharpened when you changed key from”C” to “G”. Notes is now changed from “G, A, B, C, D, E, F#” to “C, D, E, F, G, A, B”.

In Conclusion,

Now, we can visualize and easily recall the root notes of the circle of fifths in music theory.

Please recall the initial spatial position of “C” & “G” in Diagram 2, and list all notes that are a whole step above or below both “C” and “G”.

I hope this tip eases your music journey!

Author: Achornoh