Circle of fifths

Circle of fifths
Lesson1. Introduction2. Major sharps3. Minor sharps4. Major flats5. Minor flats
This page shows the circle of 5ths diagram in the form of a spiral.

The Circle of fifths diagram below is the heart of basic music theory, and is possibly the most important section on this site to read after understanding how major and (natural minor) scales are constructed.

Having learned how to draw it from memory using a few simple memorable phrases, you will automatically know how many sharps and flats are in all popular scales without working them out by hand.

You will also know all the relative major / minor scales, which scales contain identical note pitches, but have different note names, and which scales sound most alike and work well together.