Since our western hemisphere music is based on the major scale it is essential to memorize the major scale for all fifteen written keys. To do this you must understand the interval construction of the major scale and then apply it to all keys (circle of fifths and fourths)
Lets review the interval construction of the major scale.
Example using the C major scale (this interval formula is the exact same for all keys):
C to D = whole step (two frets distance or a major second interval)
D to E = whole step (two frets distance or a major second interval)
E to F = half step (one fret distance or a minor second interval)
F to G = whole step (two frets distance or a major second interval)
G to A = whole step (two frets distance or a major second interval)
A to B = whole step (two frets distance or a major second interval)
B to C = half step (one fret distance or a minor interval)
Memorize the major scale formula: WS,WS,HS - WS,WS,WS - HS
By moving to the right four scale steps we produce the next key center or key signature.
(the basis for the circle of fifths (and fourths) was first described and illustrated by Nikolai Diletskii in 1679)
C major = C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C
Count from C (1st scale degree) to the right - four scale degrees - and you get
F (4th scale degree) the next closes key. Only one note difference Bb.
F major = F, G, A, Bb, C, D, E, F one flat Bb
Notice how the Bb is needed to maintain the same interval relationship of:
WS,WS,HS,WS,WS,WS,HS.
In other words F to G = WS, G to A = WS, A to Bb = HS,
Bb to C = WS, C to D = WS, D to E = WS, E to F = HS.
Bb major = Bb, C, D, Eb, F, G, A, Bb two flats = Bb and Eb
Eb major = Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, C, D, Eb three flats = Bb, Eb, Ab
(notice how the old flats are carried into the new key and the newest
flat added is the fourth scale degree)
Ab major = Ab, Bb, C, Db, Eb, F, G, Ab four flats = Bb, Eb, Ab, Db
Db major = Db, Eb, F, Gb, Ab, Bb, C, Db five flats = Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb
Gb major = Gb, Ab, Bb, Cb, Db, Eb, F, Gb six flats = Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, E#
Cb major = Cb, Db, Eb, Fb, Gb, Ab, Bb, Cb seven flats = Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, E#, B#
C major uses no sharps or flats.
F major uses one flat Bb
Bb major uses two flats Bb, Eb
Eb major uses three flats Bb, Eb, Ab
Ab major uses four flats Bb, Eb, Ab, Db
Db major uses five flat Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb
Gb major uses six flats Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb
Cb major uses seven flats Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb, Fb
Notice the stating note is the key or key center. So memorize the note names for each key and then later the major and natural minor family of chords for each key).
The circle of fourths covers seven of our keys - this combined with the circle of fifths creates fourteen keys, with the C major scale we now have our fifteen keys.
Now transpose these to each position (register) of your instrument, then to all 15 keys.
All materials copyright 2010. For personal use only.
Vince Lauria Sun and Earth Music
