Circle of Keys

Below is a revised chart, often called the circle of keys or circle of fifths. We have revised this chart so that students can better see
flat keys as they progress around the wheel.
#
The importance of finding the correct key of a composition and remembering what flats or sharps are to be used when performing
it cannot be stressed enough.
All students are urged to learn and understand the circle of keys. For first year students, learn the first primary keys, C, F, and G.
Then expand your knowledge to memorize up the key of four (4) sharps (#) and four flats (b).

Want a cool way to remember the keys? Learn this little Rhyme made up by one of my students, starting with the Flat
keys: Dinosaurs (Db for 5 flats) Ate Eggs But Fast Cats Go Down Alleys Eating Bones (for 5 sharps [#])

Flat Keys The Key of

Sharp Keys
The Key of
#
The Key of

b F major C (or)
major

G major
(or) D minor [ A minor] (or)

#
[ E minor]

& b ====
&
The Key of ==== ====
&
The Key of

Bb 0 D major
major b #
1 1
b b (or) [ B minor]
##
====
&
(or) [ G minor]
Bb F#
====
&
2 2
Bb,Eb F#C# The Key of

A major

Eb
The Key of

major
bbb 3 Bb,Eb,Ab,
Circle of F#C#G# 3 ###
(or) [ F# minor]

====
& ====
&
(or)[C minor]
Bb,Eb,Ab,Db
Keys
F#C#G#D#
The Key of

4 4 E major

b bb b F#C#G#D#
F#C#G#D#
F#C#G#D#A#
# ###
or[ C# minor]
&
====
A#E#B#
A#E#

Ab
====
&
The Key of
<----------The Enharmonic Keys------------>

# ## # # # # ## #
major
7 5
# 6 #
====
&
(or) ( F minor ) ====
& # ## # #
C# major ====
& # B major
7
Db major
[A# minor]
F# major G# minor.
b bbb
& b bb
==== -

Cb major
D# minor.
or [Bb minor]
5 6
Gb major
bb
Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb,

b
& b b
==== b bb b b b Ab minor
[Bb minor] ====
&. Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb,Cb, Fb.

Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb

1995, 20012002, 20032004

by Dr. K Mahood, KME, Inc.
D
Drr.. K
Keennss Radical Le Pinwheel Of Keys
Revised for 2004
The Free "Guide To Selecting Keyboards" is brought to you compliments of Dr. Ken Mahood at http://www.kenmahood.com.No part of this document shall be copied without permission from the
copyright holder. You may not resell the article or include it in any published work without express permission. Allrights reserved Copyright 2003 Radical Theory is a registered Tradmark TM of
KME International Inc. and Dr. Ken Mahood and may not be used, copied, or reprinted with out the permission of Dr. Ken Mahood and KME International, Inc.