Koning
Hi gents,
Just been refreshing myself on the circle, but unfortunately I can't remember all the ins-and-outs of it.
Here's what I know:
1. how to draw it
2. how to find relative minors
3. how the sharps/flats work to the right and left of the circle (+1; +2 from C etc)
Think my confusion is related to finding a song key from the information above.
Eg: is it really as simple as looking at a songs chords (eg. F# - C# - D) realising it has two sharps and acording to the circle the key would be D? Or am I completely over simplifying the procedure and missing the point? Perhaps someone has a bit more insight into finding key signatures with the circle?
Thanks!
VellaJ
The way I use it is this:
As I don't always have the circle handy, I use my five fingers as the reference point.
I know that the key of C has no sharps or flats, so that's my "zero point." If I now take a key signature which has 3 sharps, we can use our fingers to find out what it is. In effect, you count on your fingers to find the sharps.
So:
Starting at C (our "zero point") on your thumb, count to your pinky, realizing that once you reach your pinky, that counts as a sharp. When you start counting for the next sharp (ie go back to your thumb) start with the note you left off with.
C, D, E, F, G - That's one sharp
G, A, B, C, D - 2 sharps
D, E, F, G, A - 3 sharps
Therefore, your key is A major.
We can then find what those sharps are, using exactly the same method. However, we need to remember that the first sharp that comes along is F#, therefore for this exercise we'll count that as our 1st sharp.
Therefore: F, G, A, B, C - 2nd Sharp is C#
C, D, E, F, G - 3rd sharp is G#
Therefore, your key of A major has 3 sharps, F#, C#, and G#
Does that help?
jt
koning, you are right you are in the key of D (major). VellaJ, you are right if you didn't misread your D sharp as not being just, D. Now lets hope im right by saying you are right.
jt
If you had three sharps then you can just count four from C then the key is that note. For example- starting from C, count four ( 3 sharps), 1, 2, 3, 4 - C, G, D, A. Boom, key is A major. Cant remember how the minor methods works though. Father charles goes down and ends battle. Woohoo
jt
If you had three sharps then you can just count four from C then the key is that note. For example- starting from C, count four ( 3 sharps), 1, 2, 3, 4 - C, G, D, A. Boom, key is A major. Cant remember how the minor methods works though. Father charles goes down and ends battle. Woohoo
jt
And yes, i didn't just post that twice.
VellaJ
Jethro wrote:
VellaJ, you are right if you didn't misread your D sharp as not being just, D. Now lets hope im right by saying you are right.
Sorry, there was a typo. Changed it.
Sharps are F#, C# and G#
Attila
2. how to find relative minors
You can either go down the neck 1 1/2 tone (3 half-tone or 3 frets) or go to a minor sixth (4 1/2 tone or 9 frets) up the neck
Koning
thanks guys, looks like I was on the right track - just seem'd a bit easy which had me worried.
Cheers
