Unlock Music Theory: Memory Aid for Circle of Fifths
Understanding the circle of fifths is a cornerstone of music theory, and many aspiring musicians find it a challenge. The Musictheory.net website offers valuable resources to learn it, and mnemonic devices assist recall. The circle’s clockwise progression represents intervals of perfect fifths, but memorizing it can still be tricky. A memory aid circle of fifths and fourths, like the common sentence method, provides a simple and effective technique to master this essential musical tool, making composition and understanding key relationships far easier.
Image taken from the YouTube channel Gracie Terzian , from the video titled Circle of 5ths: Easiest Way to Memorize and Understand It .
Decoding the Circle of Fifths: Your Memory Aid Toolkit
Understanding the Circle of Fifths and Fourths can feel like cracking a secret code in music theory. But don’t worry, it’s actually a very logical and visual tool. We’ll explore ways to remember it more easily, transforming it from a hurdle into a helpful stepping stone.
Understanding the Basics of the Circle of Fifths
Before diving into memory aids, let’s solidify our understanding of what the Circle is. Think of it as a roadmap for musical keys and their relationships.
What is the Circle of Fifths?
The Circle of Fifths is a visual representation of the 12 chromatic pitches (all the notes, including sharps and flats) arranged in a circle. Each pitch is a perfect fifth interval above the previous one when moving clockwise (hence "Fifths"). When moving counter-clockwise, each pitch is a perfect fourth interval above the previous one, resulting in the "Circle of Fourths".
Why is it Useful?
- Key Signatures: It clearly shows the number of sharps or flats in each key.
- Chord Progressions: Common chord progressions often move around the circle.
- Modulation: It helps visualize how keys relate and modulate to one another.
- Understanding Harmony: Provides a framework for understanding harmonic relationships.
Memory Aids: Making the Circle Stick
Now for the fun part! Let’s explore different "memory aid circle of fifths and fourths" techniques. Remember, the best aid is the one that clicks for you.
Mnemonics: Words and Phrases to the Rescue
Mnemonics are catchy phrases that help you remember the order of the keys. Here are a few popular options:
-
For Sharp Keys (Clockwise):
- Good Dogs Always Eat Burgers For Cheeseburgers
- Go Down And Eat Baked Fish Carefully
-
For Flat Keys (Counter-Clockwise):
- Fat Boys Eat Apples During Gym Class
- Father Be Every Angry Dad Gets Cranky
Experiment with different mnemonics to find the one you remember best!
Visualization: Creating a Mental Picture
Visual learners will benefit from creating a mental image of the circle.
- Color-Coding: Assign a color to each key. For example, C could be red, G could be orange, D could be yellow, and so on. Then, visualize the circle with these colors.
- Landmarks: Imagine landmarks on the circle. For instance, C could be the start line of a race, and G could be the first turn.
Association: Linking to Familiar Concepts
Connect the keys to things you already know well.
- Personal Associations: Associate each key with a song you know in that key, a person you know who reminds you of that key, or an emotion.
- Storytelling: Create a story where each character represents a key, and their interactions follow the Circle of Fifths.
The Relationship between Fifths and Fourths
Remember, moving clockwise gives you fifths, and counter-clockwise gives you fourths. This relationship is important. A good “memory aid circle of fifths and fourths” will help you remember both directions.
Practice: The Key to Mastery
No memory aid is a substitute for practice! Here are some ways to practice:
- Write it Out: Draw the circle repeatedly until you can do it from memory.
- Play the Keys: Find the keys on a piano or keyboard and practice moving around the circle.
- Analyze Music: Look at sheet music and identify the keys and chord progressions using the Circle of Fifths as a guide.
- Online Resources: There are many interactive websites and apps that can help you practice.
Understanding Sharps and Flats
The Circle of Fifths also reveals the number of sharps or flats in each key signature.
Order of Sharps
- The order of sharps is also derived from the Circle of Fifths. Take your last note that you travelled to while moving clockwise around the circle and go down a half step from that, that is the sharp in the new key. Using our earlier mnemonic “Good Dogs Always Eat Burgers For Cheeseburgers”, you go to the note "G", go down a half step and this gives you the note F#. Now, in the key of D there is the sharp F#.
- Mnemonic for the Order of Sharps: Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle
Order of Flats
- The order of flats is the reverse of the order of sharps. In the same way you can use your mnemonic for the circle of fourths to remember what flats get added in a given key. Travel counter-clockwise from C using the mnemonic “Fat Boys Eat Apples During Gym Class”, each note you travel to represents a flat in the upcoming key. For example, The key of F has a flat that is Bb.
- Mnemonic for the Order of Flats: Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles’ Father
Here’s a table summarizing the relationship:
| Key | Number of Sharps | Sharps (in order) | Key | Number of Flats | Flats (in order) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 0 | – | C | 0 | – |
| G | 1 | F# | F | 1 | Bb |
| D | 2 | F#, C# | Bb | 2 | Bb, Eb |
| A | 3 | F#, C#, G# | Eb | 3 | Bb, Eb, Ab |
| E | 4 | F#, C#, G#, D# | Ab | 4 | Bb, Eb, Ab, Db |
| B | 5 | F#, C#, G#, D#, A# | Db | 5 | Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb |
| F#/Gb | 6 | F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E# | Gb/F# | 6 | Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb |
| C#/Db | 7 | F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#, B# | Cb/B | 7 | Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb, Fb |
Relating the circle to the notes
The key to unlocking the Circle of Fifths is to practice the “memory aid circle of fifths and fourths” techniques. This allows you to eventually recall these facts automatically. Don’t get discouraged if it takes time – everyone learns at their own pace. Experiment with different methods, find what works best for you, and keep practicing. You’ll be navigating the musical landscape with confidence in no time!
FAQs About the Circle of Fifths Memory Aid
This section addresses common questions about using a memory aid for the circle of fifths. It helps solidify your understanding and application of this fundamental music theory concept.
What is the benefit of using a memory aid for the circle of fifths?
A memory aid, or mnemonic, simplifies memorizing the order of keys in the circle of fifths. This quick recall is crucial for understanding key relationships, chord progressions, and transposing music. Learning it with mnemonic helps to instantly understand the memory aid circle of fifths and fourths.
How does the phrase "Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle" relate to the circle?
This phrase provides a simple way to remember the order of major keys progressing clockwise around the circle: F, C, G, D, A, E, B. This aids in quickly identifying keys a fifth apart.
Can I use a memory aid to remember the order of minor keys too?
Yes. Once you know the major keys, you can easily find the relative minor of each key by going down three semitones. You can use the existing phrase to remember their location of the memory aid circle of fifths and fourths.
What’s the practical advantage of knowing the circle of fifths well?
Understanding the circle of fifths allows you to predict common chord progressions, identify closely related keys for modulation, and easily transpose songs to different keys. It’s a fundamental tool for musicians of all levels and assists in building understanding the memory aid circle of fifths and fourths.
So, go ahead and explore using the memory aid circle of fifths and fourths! Experiment, practice, and watch your understanding of music take off. Happy composing!
