Is there a trick for remebering the circle of keys?

Question

I need to remeber the circle of keys or fifths by next Tuesday for Piano. Is there a trick?

Answer 1

The trick IS the circle of fifths!  You just keep going around, counting up or down 5 notes.  

c d e f g;  g a b c d;  d e f g a;  etc.  Start anyplace - it works the same.  When you get OUT THERE - lots of sharps and flats - then you need to do an enharmonic switch.  That is why some people say it ought to be called a SPIRAL of fifths - at someplace you have to decide if you want to call C#, Db.

Answer 2

HI Amangle,

So you need to learn the Circle of 5ths in a hurry.    I have my own little trick for learning it fast and remembering it...   that is, if it makes sense to you.  OK.  I need for you to get a piece of paper and follow these instructions.  Now this is my trick and not everyone will do it the same way... you must take your responders advice and put it all together so that it is easy for you.  :))

Draw a circle about the size of a golf ball on the paper.

At the very top of, and outside of the circle write the    C.   You are going to go around the outside of the circle counter-clockwise writing the keys.  

At the very top is the C.  At around 11:00 write F.  Continuing on...

Write the word "BEAD"  Bb - Eb - Ab - Db and at the bottom Gb.

That finishes the Flats.  Let's go on to the sharps.

At the very bottom next to the Gb, write G.  Continuing around counter-clockwise (and now you will be moving upwards toward the top)...now you will write the word BEAD backwards...  D - A - E - B.   That is it.

Let's review.   C - F - (BEAD & G - the flats).  G - D A E B (the sharps) and you finish on top with the C.

F  1b                  G   1#

B  2b                  D   2#

E  3b                  A   3#

A  4b                  E   4#

D  5b                  B   5#

G  6b

If your problem is remembering....  say....  What flats or sharps are in each key... just email me.... I have a trick for that too.  But no need to go into that here.... if it is not your problem

Thanks for reading.  Hope it helped.