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Pathways to Harmony

Chapter 4: Half and whole steps, major scales and the circle of fifths 4.3 The Circle of Fifths

G DeBenedetti www.gmajormusictheory.org

& # • Each note of a scale is identified by a number called a scale degree.

& # • Each note of a scale is identified by a number called a scale degree. • Scale degree 1 is also called the key note.

& # • If scales are written clockwise on a circular keyboard and if the key note of each scale is scale degree 5 of the previous scale, then the key notes follow an order called the circle of fifths.

& # • If scales are written clockwise on a circular keyboard and if the key note of each scale is scale degree 5 of the previous scale, then the key notes follow an order called the circle of fifths.

• You will understand better by working along with this presentation

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Let's work together…

• DOWNDLOAD Chapter Four OR Expanded Chapter Four of Pathways to Harmony from this website http://www.gmajormusictheory.org/Fundamentals/workbooks.html

• PRINT worksheet 4.5 from Chapter Four OR worksheet 4Ex.8 from Expanded Chapter Four • WRITE dots and letters as this presentation guides you around the circle of fifths.

& # • On this circular keyboard lines separate where each scale is written.

& # • On this circular keyboard lines separate where each scale is written.

• After we rotate and zoom in on this keyboard, we can put dots on the notes of a C scale. Turn your page upside-down.

& # Quic kTime™ and a TIFF (Pac kBits) dec ompres sor are needed to see this pic ture.

• On this circular keyboard lines separate where each scale is written.

• After we rotate and zoom in on this keyboard, we can put dots on the notes of a C scale.

& # Quic kTime™ and a TIFF (Pac kBits) dec ompres sor are needed to see this pic ture.

• On this circular keyboard lines separate where each scale is written.

• After we rotate and zoom in on this keyboard, we can put dots on the notes of a C scale.

& # Quic kTime™ and a TIFF (Pac kBits) dec ompres sor are needed to see this pic ture.

• On this circular keyboard lines separate where each scale is written.

• After we rotate and zoom in on this keyboard, we can put dots on the notes of a C scale.

& # Quic kTime™ and a TIFF (Pac kBits) dec ompres sor are needed to see this pic ture.

• On this circular keyboard lines separate where each scale is written.

• After we rotate and zoom in on this keyboard, we can put dots on the notes of a C scale.

& # • On this circular keyboard lines separate where each scale is written.

• After we rotate and zoom in on this keyboard, we can put dots on the notes of a C scale.

& # • On this circular keyboard lines separate where each scale is written.

• After we rotate and zoom in on this keyboard, we can put dots on the notes of a C scale.

& # • On this circular keyboard lines separate where each scale is written.

• After we rotate and zoom in on this keyboard, we can put dots on the notes of a C scale.

& # • On this circular keyboard lines separate where each scale is written.

• After we rotate and zoom in on this keyboard, we can put dots on the notes of a C scale.

& # • Notice that if the key note is C, then the major scale pattern 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 W W H W W W H results in all white keys.

& # • Notice that if the key note is C, then the major scale pattern 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 W W H W W W H results in all white keys.

• If we keep adding scales whose key notes are scale degree 5 of adjacent scales, then some surprising patterns appear…

& # The key note of the next scale to the left (clockwise) …

& # The key note of the next scale to the left (clockwise) … is scale degree 5 of the C major scale, or G.

& # The key note of the next scale to the left (clockwise) … is scale degree 5 of the C major scale, or G.

So we put a "G", in the next box.

& # QuickTime™ and a TIF F ( Uncompressed) decompressor are needed to see this picture.

• Now we put dots on the keyboard for a G scale.

& # • Now we put dots on the keyboard for a G scale.

• Notice that the pattern, W W H W W W H, requires that the next-to-the-last note be a black key.

& # Continuing in the same way, The key note of the next scale to the left …

& # Zoom out -----> Continuing in the same way, The key note of the next scale to the left … is scale degree 5 of the G major scale, or D.

& # Continuing in the same way, The key note of the next scale to the left … is scale degree 5 of the G major scale, or D.

So we put a "D" in the next box …

& # Continuing in the same way, The key note of the next scale to the left … is scale degree 5 of the G major scale, or D.

So we put a "D" in the next box … And write a D major scale.

& # • You can continue writing scales in this way all around the circle.

& # • You can continue writing scales in this way all around the circle.

• Keynotes in this presentation include – B and its enharmonic, C-flat – F-sharp and its enharmonic, G-flat – And C-sharp and its enharmonic D-flat

& # • You can continue writing scales in this way all around the circle.

• Keynotes in this presentation include – B and its enharmonic, C-flat – F-sharp and its enharmonic, G-flat – And C-sharp and its enharmonic D-flat • The scales of these key notes appear on the bottom of the circle and will be given two boxes, one for each letter.

& # • You can continue writing scales in this way all around the circle.

• Keynotes in this presentation include – B and its enharmonic, C-flat – F-sharp and its enharmonic, G-flat – And C-sharp and its enharmonic D-flat • The scales of these key notes appear on the bottom of the circle and will be given two boxes, one for each letter.

• Beyond these enharmonic key notes, all black-key key-notes should be named as flats.

& # • Here are the surprising results which occur once the circle of fifths is completed:

& # • Here are the surprising results which occur once the circle of fifths is completed: – Incredibly, all 12 different notes on the keyboard will have been used once and only once as key notes,

& # • Here are the surprising results which occur once the circle of fifths is completed: – Incredibly, all 12 different notes on the keyboard will have been used once and only once as key notes, – The number of black keys in subsequent scales seem to form a pattern

& # • Here are the surprising results which occur once the circle of fifths is completed: – Incredibly, all 12 different notes on the keyboard will have been used once and only once as key notes, – The number of black keys in subsequent scales seem to form a pattern – the original key note, C, will be the fifth note of the last scale to be entered, F

& # • Here are the surprising results which occur once the circle of fifths is completed: – Incredibly, all 12 different notes on the keyboard will have been used once and only once as key notes, – The number of black keys in subsequent scales seem to form a pattern – the original key note, C, will be the fifth note of the last scale to be entered, F • In this way you can complete a true circle—the circle of fifths.

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Now it's your turn

• COMPLETE worksheet 4.5 from Chapter Four OR worksheet 4Ex.8 from Expanded Chapter Four