 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: jan
Date: 2001-03-18 12:49
hi
some time ago on another clarinet bb i asked a question about learning scales and the answer i got was to use the circle of 5ths but i never found out what this is. can someone please explain it to me or direct me to some information on it.
thanks, jan
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: jerry
Date: 2001-03-18 13:12
JAN, I found the circle of fifths here on sneezy. I can't explain it - I'm still trying to understand it all myself. It might be easier to understatnd if related to a piano keyboard but I don't know piano either. If you figure it out, let me know.
http://www.sneezy.org/clarinet/study/readmusic/readmusic33.html
Good luck.
~ jerry
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Dee
Date: 2001-03-18 13:28
The circle of fifths is a way of illustrating how the various keys relate to each other. It is particularly useful in composition of music to figure out how to effectively and pleasantly modulate from one key to another. To construct the circle, each note is a fifth higher than the note before (shown below).
F C G D A E B
For example to modulate from the key of F to the key of G, it works quite well to go through a C major chord.
Separate from this use, it coincidentally helps players remember in what order sharps and flats are added to the key signature.
Key of G - 1 sharp - the note F is sharped.
Key of D - 2 sharps - the notes F and C are sharped
and so on.
To get the order of flats, the circle is run in "reverse" as show here.
Bb Eb Ab Db Gb Cb Fb
Key of F - 1 flat - the note B is flatted
Key of Bb - 2 flats - the notes B and E are flatted
Key of Eb - 3 flats - the notes B, E, and A are flatted.
and so on.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Sheila
Date: 2001-03-18 15:52
One easy way to remember the order of the circle of 5ths is the mnemonic
Fairies Can Go Down And Eat Buns - silly, but it works!
To remember the flats, either reverse that or try
Big Elephants And Dark Gorillas Can't Fly
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Jeff Forman
Date: 2001-03-18 17:00
Aha. My banjo playing days finally have some usefullness. Here's the deal with the circle of fifths. Its counterpart is the cycle of fourths. The point of the exercise is to make a diagram of the keys, in order, with increasing numbers of sharps, from 0 to 6, and conversely, with increasing numbers of flats. Make a circle with twelve nick marks going around. Ultimately, you will list all of the keys in the chromatic scale.
C is at the top (it has no sharps or flats) To label the next mark clockwise, go to the FIFTH note of the C scale (hence the name, circle of fifths) and that is the next key. So, G will be the next key and it has one sharp. Go to the fifth note of the G scale, which is D and it has 2 sharps. Continue with A, E, B and F#
Then go back to the C and go to the fouth note of the scale. That is F. Put the F on the mark that is counterclockwise from the C. That has one flat. Go to the fourth note in the F scale - Bb - that has 2 flats. That's the second mark counterclockwise from C, Next is Eb, it has 3 flats. Then Ab with 4 flats, and Db with 5 flats.
Now you have the 12 chromatic keys, going from no sharps and flats through 6 sharps, and no sharps and flats through 5 flats.
It has uses when learning your keys and it is a good down and dirty cheat sheet. Plus just knowing the theory behing the "circle of fifths" name, helped me figure out the key by doing the scale (root, whole step whole step half step whole step) in mty head and thus arriving at the next key.
Hope this was somewhat helpful.
Jeff
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Corey
Date: 2001-03-18 19:33
one other way that my instructor tells my band to remember the sharps and flat are:FLATS-fat cats go down alies eating bolongne;SHARPS-bead gcf(greatest common factor)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: jan
Date: 2001-03-18 19:36
OHHHHHH, okay. i think i understand now. i will try writing it out.
thanks!
jan
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: mw
Date: 2001-03-18 21:01
Writing it down is a great idea, it helps reinforce the principles & gets you working/thinking @ & with the Circle of 5ths.
There are numerous & different diagrams for downloading all over the Internet.
Use your Search Engine Du Jour & have a blast looking at the various diagrams available & the key or legend that accompanies them.
best of luck,
mw
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Willie
Date: 2001-03-19 05:48
The circle of fifths has been very helpful to me when transposing. Its agood one to learn. With Cm on top, for the flats I remmember it by; Farm Boys Eat All Dee Good Corn. For the sharps I use Good Dogs Always Eat Big Fuzzy Cats. (Gonna get a flame from Dee on that last one but its easy for me to remmember)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
