Evil Kramer's Theory Corner

Circles of Strife

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I want to talk to everyone today about tones. Delicious, delicious tones. In Western theory, there are only twelve of them, but seeing as some of them can be enharmonic, there are actually 19 names for them. That is to say a G# for example, can also be an Ab. Or a B# also has the same tonality as a C, etc. Depending what key you are in will decide what name you will give it. Much in the same way you may call the mixture of dried water, flour and egg a 'noodle' when, more specifically, it may be cinsidered a fettuccine or, say, rotini. "Excuse me Mr. Note," you might say if you were the type of chap that was want to occasional delusions of animorphations. "But are you a Eb or a D#?" In which case the note will respond with it's determined resonant vibration without a care in the world which label you have placed on it. Tones don't care what you call them just as long as they get to sing. Noodles, incidentally, are a little pickier about their designated nomenclature.

So the question is how do we decide what name to give each tone? We use what is called the circle of fourths. Or fifths. But we'll stick with fourths for now. Ok. Remember this. C F BEAD G BEAD G. This, with a minor adjustment, is what is known as the circle of fourths. Say it with me: C F BEAD G BEAD G. The letters C and F, the word BEAD, the letter G, the word BEAD again, and then the letter G. And then it starts all over again. Thus making it a circle. Go ahead make a circle and divide into twelve equal parts. At the end of each spoke, starting with C at the top, going clockwise, write the circle of fourths (like fig. 1). DO IT!!!

Good. Now, for that minor adjustment I mentioned, above. After each letter in the first BEAD and G, write the symbol for flat, i.e. b. Now our circle of fourths reads as: C F Bb Eb Ab Db Gb B E A D G. Yeah, and?

Well, the reason it is called the circle of fourths is because F, for example, is the fourth tone in the C major scale. E is the fourth tone in the B major scale. Ab is the fourth tone in the... well, look it up on your new circle of fourths chart. The only other thing you need to do is share Db and Gb with C# and F#, respectively. C F Bb Eb Ab Db/C# Gb/F# B E A D G (fig. 2) Trust me it will make sense in time.

This is also, conversely, conveniently and potentially confusingly, called the circle of fifths. Just read it backwards. C G D A E B Gb/F# Db/C# Ab Eb Bb F. That is to say E is the fifth tone in the A major scale, F in the Bb major scale and so on. Learn both circles. But I suggest the circle of fourths first because the mnemonic device is easier.

So, there you have it: fourths and fifths. You learned two things today. Memorize these two things for now. "But that doesn't explain why Gb instead of F#." Very good, little roasted garlic of my soul. But I'm afraid, I've run out of room for this column. I will expound as next time permits. Also, my portabellas and onions have finished sautéing and the aroma is giving me a heapin’ helpin’ of writer's block. Good day to you.