PART 2: CIRCLE OF FIFTHS
If you haven’t checked out PART1 , I highly recommend you check that out , or else this might be a bit overwhelming. Before we begin let us understand some terms.
Sharp(♯): immediate note to the right on the piano. Higher in pitch by one semitone.
Flat(♭): immediate note to the left on the piano. Lower in pitch by one semitone.
Fifth: Note higher in pitch by 7 semitones(The 5th note in the major scale).
Fourth: Note higher in pitch by 5 semitones(The 4th note in the major scale).
What is the circle of fifths?
It is a tool that we are going to use , to memorize scales better , with ease. In music theory the circle of fifths is a way of arranging 12 chromatic pitches as a sequence of perfect fifths . if C is chosen as the starting point then the sequence is as follows: C , G , D , A , E , B , F♯ , D♭ , A♭ , E♭ , B♭ , F
A way to remember this sequence using mnemonics is as follows:
Right half: Catherine Gets Drunk And Eats ButterFlies
Left half: Catherine Fondles BEADs
Well ………..
Okay whatever , how can this help memorize scales?
When we arrange notes like this we can identify scales that are similar .
Since we already know the C major scale (all white keys on a piano)
We can learn the G major and the F major scale with ease.
The G major scale is the same as the C major scale but with one different note , instead of an F we have an F♯ .
The F major scale is the same as the C major scale but with one different note , instead of an B we have an B♭.
As we move right from C on the circle the number of sharps increases by one . C major scale has no sharps , G major scale has one sharp , D major scale has two sharps…etc.
As we move left from C on the circle the number of flats increases by one.
C major scale has no flats , F major scale has one flat , B♭ major scale has two flats …etc.
Okay now that we know the number of flats and sharps in each scale how do we know which notes are flat / sharp ?
To know that you have to memorize the order of flats/sharps
Order of flats: BEADGCF (Bob Evans Ate Donuts Got Crazy Fat)
Order of sharps: FCGDAEB (Fat Cat Go Dead After Eating Burrito)
Order of sharps is just the order of flats backwards.
In C major scale we have no flats.
In F major scale we have B♭.
In B♭ major scale we have B♭ and E♭.
In E♭ major scale we have B♭ , E♭ and A♭.
In A♭ major scale we have B♭ , E♭ , A♭ and D♭.
In D♭ major scale we have B♭ , E♭ , A♭ , D♭ and G♭.
In G♭ major scale we have B♭ , E♭ , A♭ , D♭ ,G♭ and C♭.
In C major scale we have no sharps .
In G major scale we have F ♯ .
In D major scale we have F♯ and C♯ .
In A major scale we have F♯ , C♯ and G♯.
In E major scale we have F♯ , C♯ , G♯ and D♯.
In B major scale we have F♯ ,C♯ ,G♯ ,D♯ and A♯
In F♯ major scale we have F♯ , C♯ , G♯ , D♯ , A♯ and E♯
Now that all major scales are in your head , all minor scales are also in your head since every major scale has a relative minor scale.
Now go and memorize the circle of fifths , order of sharps / flats , and be a master of scales instead of being confused by them.
MAJOR SCALES
