CIRCLE OF FIFTHS

Music 171

Order of flats:

BEADGCF

Order of sharps:

FCGDAEB

Notice that each of the above is the reverse order of the other. Also notice that the sharps ascend by fifths, and the flats descend by fifths.

To find out what key you are in with sharp MAJOR keys: go up a half-step from the final sharp.

To find out what key you are in with flat MAJOR keys (except 1 flat, which is F): the second-to-last flat IS the tonic.

Minor keys: if you know the tonic for the major key signature, simply descend a minor third from that tonic (3 half steps) to determine the tonic in the minor key.

FOR EXAMPLE: C major (no sharps or flats). A minor third down from "C" (or 3 half steps) is "A," thus a-minor and C-Major share the same key signature.

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