The Zigzag of Fifths

Laura Gabrielson Author

While I love the Circle of Fifths, it’s not always easy to remember or explain.

The Zigzag of Fifths, which reveals the underlying pattern to key signatures, is an easy-to-remember, easy-to-use, and easy-to-explain alternative to the Circle of Fifths. In this post, I explain how to set up and use the Zigzag of Fifths. 

WHAT TEACHERS ARE SAYING

"This is a fun, fresh new way to visualize the circle of 5ths! ... The world needs more educators that are willing to think outside the box! (or circle)"

- Lisa Witt, Pianote

"I just checked out (and downloaded!) some of your theory apps. The Zigzag of Fifths is genius! Thank you!"
- Cheri, piano teacher

OVERVIEW

Here’s an overview of the content and key musical concepts covered:

Topic #1: Setting up the Zigzag of Fifths

• The order sharps and flats are added to key signatures

Topic #2: Creating Note Teams 

• Key signatures
• Diatonic chords
• Scales

Topic #3: Visualizing the Zigzag of Fifths on the Piano 

• The order of sharps and flats on the piano keyboard

Activities using the Zigzag of Fifths

THE ZIGZAG OF FIFTHS

Each topic includes 2 explanations: first, using the note names and second, using Team Stickey characters. View the videos in full-screen mode for the best experience.

Setting up the Zigzag of Fifths

To set up the Zigzag of Fifths, start by dividing the notes into a group of 3 notes (C, D, E) and a group of 4 notes (F, G, A, B). Place the group of 3 notes above the group of 4 notes, so that you can zigzag between the notes:

Adding sharps and flats

To add sharps, zigzag from left to right. To add flats, zigzag right to left. The complete Zigzag of Fifths looks like this:

In this video, I walk you through setting up the Zigzag of Fifths using Team Stickey characters.

Creating Note Teams

To build a Note Team using the Zigzag of Fifths, select any 3 adjacent notes from one row and the 4 surrounding notes from the opposite row.

For example, the top half of this image shows the 5-flat Note Team, which includes the notes D-flat, E-flat, F (3 note group) and G-flat, A-flat, B-flat and C (4-note group). The bottom half shows the 4-sharp Note Team - can you figure out which notes belong to the group of 3 and which are in the group of 4?

Notice how every Note Team has an A, B, C, D, E, F and G; as you move right from the center of the Zigzag, more of these notes become sharp; moving left from center, more become flat.

This video shows how easy it is to see which notes, chords, and scales belong to every key signature by sliding a window across the Zigzag of Fifths.

Visualizing the Zigzag of Fifths on the Piano

Mapping the Zigzag of Fifths to the piano is simple! Watch the back-and-forth pattern between black key groups unfold in these 2 animations.

HOW TO DO THESE ACTIVITIES ON YOUR OWN

The Zigzag of Fifths app is the easiest way to explore using the Zigzag of Fifths to build Note Teams and more! 

Here's a quick preview of the app, which is available for iOS, android, and Kindle Fire devices:

For a hands-on alternative to the app, get the Zigzag of Fifths printable resource, which includes the note letters and characters versions:

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Categories: : Key Signatures, Music Theory, Piano Teaching