What does the \"Circle of Fifths\" tell one about harmonically related keys? In
ID: 2075427 • Letter: W
Question
What does the "Circle of Fifths" tell one about harmonically related keys? In other words, in what way are keys near or far in the circle of fifths harmonically related or unrelated? What are the sharps in the key of E Major? (List them in the clockwise order of the circle of fifths, which is the same as the order of sharps in the key signature, from left to right.) What are the flats in the key of D^b Major? (List them in the counterclockwise order of the circle of fifths, which is the same as the order of flats in the key signature, from left to right.) (d) What is the relative minor key for C Major, how many sharps or flats does it have? What are they? (e) What is the relative minor key for F major and how many sharps or flats does it have? What are they?Explanation / Answer
a.
The term 'fifth' defines an interval or mathematical ratio which is the closest and most consonant non-octave interval. The circle of fifths is a sequence of pitches or key tonalities, represented as a circle, in which the next pitch is found seven semitones higher than the last. Musicians and composers use the circle of fifths to understand and describe the musical relationships among some selection of those pitches. The circle's design is helpful in composing and harmonizing melodies, building chords, and modulating to different keys within a composition.[1]
At the top of the circle, the key of C Major has no sharps or flats. Starting from the apex and proceeding clockwise by ascending fifths, the key of G has one sharp, the key of D has 2 sharps, and so on. Similarly, proceeding counterclockwise from the apex by descending fifths, the key of F has one flat, the key of B has 2 flats, and so on. At the bottom of the circle, the sharp and flat keys overlap, showing pairs of enharmonically equivalent key signatures.
b.
c.
D-flat major is a major scale based on D-flat, consisting of the pitches D, E, F, G, A, B and C. Its key signature has five flats.
d.
C major (or the key of C) is a major scale based on C, with the pitches C, D, E, F, G, A, and B. Its key signature has no flats and no sharps. C major's relative minor is A minor and its parallel minor is C minor.
e.
F major (or the key of F) is a major scale based on F, with the pitches F, G, A, B, C, D, and E. Its key signature has one flat, B. F major's relative minor is D minor, and its parallel minor is F minor.
F major or F-sharp major is a major scale based on F, consisting of the pitches F, G, A, B, C, D, and E. Its key signature has six sharps. Its relative minor is D minor (or enharmonically E minor). Its parallel minor is F minor.
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