Circle of fifths |

The system of arrangement of keys according to the degree of harmony, kinship. It is depicted graphically in the form of a diagram, in which major and minor sharp keys are arranged in pure fifths up, and flat ones – in pure fifths down. Theoretically, sharp K. to. and flat K. to. exist independently, representing, as it were, spirals. This is explained by the fact that from continuing to move up in pure fifths, more and more new keys arise with a gradual increase in the number of sharps, and then double sharps, and from continuing to move down – new keys with a gradual increase in the number of flats, and then double flats. To build major sharp tonalities from all 12 sounds of the octave, it is necessary to move along the K. to. in the direction of sharps (clockwise) to a full turn and conclude it with an enharmonically equal key to C major – C-sharp major (His-dur, 12 sharps ).

Circle of fifths of the most common major and minor keys (dotted lines indicate anharmonic equal keys).

Movement in the opposite direction along K. k. gives 12 major flat keys; in this case, the tonality enharmonically equal to C major will be D double-flat major (Deses-dur, 12 flats). In practice, however, in music, due to anharmonicity, k. k. closes, forming a general circle of sharp and flat major keys, as well as a general circle of sharp and flat minor keys.

V. A. Vakhromeev