Building the Cycle of 5ths

Learn your key signatures

Start with the C major scale

Whole
Step

Whole
Step

Half
Step

Whole
Step

Whole
Step

Whole
Step

half Step

Notice the interval pattern of the

first four notes is the same as
that of the last four notes.
First Tetrachord

Whole
Step

Whole
Step

Second Tetrachord

Half
Step

Whole
Step

Whole
Step

Whole
Step

half Step

So, the major scale is composed

of two identical tetrachords,
separated by a whole step.
First Tetrachord

Whole
Step

Whole
Step

Second Tetrachord

Half
Step

Whole
Step

Whole
Step

Whole
Step

half Step

Looking at the second

tetrachord,

We dont know if its the second half

of the C scale.

Or the first half of a G scale.

Two things:
1.

2.

Accidentals are cumulative as you

progress around the circle, i.e. the F#
thats in the G scale will be in every
other key that contains sharps
The added sharp in each key that we
add to the wheel is on the seventh
note of the scale

We now have the first two parts

of our wheel.

Lets look at the second half of

the G scale

We know that these four notes can be the first

half of a D scale.

Again the new sharp is the 7th

tone of the scale.

So, we keep following the same

logic: the second half of the D
scale becomes the first half of
the A scale

And the 2nd half of the A scale becomes the

first half of the E scale

And the second half of the E Scale becomes the first half of

And, finally, the 2nd half of the B scale becomes the

first half of the F# scale.

So, the sharp side of our wheel

is complete.

Building the Flat side of the

wheel uses essentially the same
logic:

Start with a C major scale.

But this time well look at the first Tetrachord

First Tetrachord

Whole
Step

Whole
Step

Second Tetrachord

Half
Step

Whole
Step

Whole
Step

Whole
Step

half Step

Again, just looking at these 4 notes

We dont know if its the first half of a C scale

Or the second half of an F scale

So, here is the first entry on the

flat side of the wheel.

Well finish the cycle by applying

the same process we used for
the sharps. This time, though,
the first half of the given scale
will become the second half of
the new scale; and the added
accidental will occur on the
fourth note of the new scale.

The Fourth note.

The first four notes of F

Become the second four notes of Bb

The first four notes of Bb

Become the second four notes of Eb

The first four notes of Eb

Become the second four notes of Ab

The first four notes of Ab

Become the second four notes of Db

And, finally, the first

four notes of Db

Become the second four notes of Gb

Thus completing the cycle!

Eb

F#

Ab

Db

Gb

Bb