Circle of 5ths
All 12 (15) Key Signatures
The circle of 5ths is an organizational system for key signatures. Roughly modeled after a clock, the circle indicates the 12 (15 including enharmonic keys) different key signatures for the Major and relative minor keys.
Each key signature (you can think of as a logo for tones to be used in a given piece of music) represents a Major key and a minor key. This is called relative keys. Each key signature has a minor key that is the relative of the Major key (2 keys per logo [signature]- a Major and a minor one).
Key signatures are indicated at the beginning of a piece of music (right after the clef and before the time signature).
Download Circle of 5ths pdf - 67 KB
Alternative to Circle of Fifths - 234 KB pdf
Some Pointers about the Circle of 5ths
A key signature indicates which family of tones will be utilized for a given piece of music.
In tonal music, it is an arrangement of sharps or flats which define pitches to be used. Sharps and flats can be mixed in a key signature, but not in this basic set of Major keys.
Each key signature defines a diatonic scale in two modes: major & minor.
The natural minor can be found by beginning the major scale on the 6th scale degree of the major.
A diatonic scale is one which utilizes the seven pitches defined by a key signature for melody and harmony. Diatonic means 'within the key or across the tones of a key center'.
Is the minor key signature really the same as the Major? (Are they really relatives?)
The natural minor key is identical to the Major key. All the same tones and chords and scales, but calling a different chord the one (calling vi of the Major key the i).
Since the natural minor is a member (somewhat viable, but cannot stand on its own) of the minor key family, it is included. Yet, it really doesn't relate (isn't a true relative) of the relative Major. For example, A minor is a modification of A Major and ultimately has very little to do with C Major.
The Circle of 5ths in a very glaring way is an antiquated and out-dated visual organizational system for key signatures. Even with its positive aspects, it has a limiting quality that doesn't show the complete picture.
If you choose not to learn about the 3 versions of the minor keys (natural, harmonic, melodic minors), that is your decision (and a common one for non-advanced students).
If you decide to learn the 3 forms, you'll know a bunch of cool (and possibly limiting) stuff, depending on how you view it.
If you do put in the time to learn it, keep in mind that most people will have no idea what you are talking about when you try to explain it (yet, explaining it to others can help you learn it). Caveat: if you are going to play jazz, put in the time and learn it. You'll need to know the modes and the chords derived from the minor key system.
Someday, we might not have this conversation because there may be a workable minor key signature learning tool (in the works).
