A Cool Way to Memorize the Circle of Fifths

The reason why it is so important to learn the Circle of Fifths are because it will help you to identify key signatures for Major and minor keys, find related keys, understand the difference between relative and parallel keys and remember the order of sharps and flats in key signatures.

Key Signatures for Flats and Sharps

To remember the total of Flats in a key signature in order, memorize the following : BEAD -GCF. Remember all the sharps in order in a key signature by using a funny saying: FCGDAEB:  Finally-Cats-Give-Dogs-Awful-Energy-Bites.

 Major & Minor Scales for Flats

Remember the Major scales in order for flats' key signature by creating a mnemonic for F-Bb-Eb-Ab-Db-Gb-Cb: Frank-Buys-Eggs-At-Dog's-Grocery-Club.  Note: You may not be able to see C♭ major on the "Circle of Fifths. C♭ Major has seven flats in its key signature.

Now lets remember the minor scales for the flats: d-g-c-f-b♭-e♭-a♭: dog's-grocery-club-fills-basket-eggs-again
Note: A♭ minor may not be on the "Circle of Fifths.


Major and Minor Scales for Sharps


Remember Major scales for sharps' key signature by creating a mnemonic for G-D-A-E-B-F#-C#: Go-Down-At-Elmo's-Bank-For-Christmas.  Note: You may not be able to see C-sharp (C#) major on the "Circle of Fifths. C-sharp Major scale has seven sharps in its key signature.


Now lets remember the minor scales for the sharps: e-b-f#-c#-g#-d#-a#: elmo's-bank-for-christmas-gives-doll-angels

Note: A# minor may not be on the "Circle of Fifths. A# minor has seven sharps in its key signature.


Now try to remember the scales for the flats and the sharps in Major and Minor.

 

Pic by  Catherine Schmidt-Jones

Relative vs Parallel Keys

Here is a tip on how you can remember the difference between a relative key vs a parallel key of a Major or minor keys.

Formulas:

Relative keys = same key signatures/different tonic. 
Parallel keys = same tonic/different key signatures

Relative key is a key that shares or has the same amount of sharps or flats (key signature) but has a different tonic than the key it shares.

For example, lets say we are working with c minor key. c minor has three flats in its key signature. So, what is c minor's relative key? c minor's relative key is Eb Major because Eb Major also has three flats in its key signature.

A parallel key shares the same tonic with another key , but has different key signatures. When working with parallel keys, one will be minor and one major key.

For example, c minor is parallel to C major because they have the same tonic. However, C major has no sharps or flats in its key signature. c minor has three flats.

You can also use the "Circle of Fifths" to help you understand relative and parallel keys better.