Music Composition DUMmIES

Note that even though the directional shape of the notes on the staffs are

identical, the pieces sound different because the first example is in a major

mode and the second example is in a minor mode.

Figures 6-3 and 6-4 show them with their proper key signatures.

It’s normally taken for granted that music students have memorized the Circle

of Fifths, but sometimes a refresher may be called for (Figure 6-5). Remember

that every time you move one letter clockwise from the C major/A minor posi-

tion at the top, you add a sharp to the key signature. And at every point

counterclockwise from C major/A minor, you add a flat. The major keys are

given capitalized letters here, and the minor keys are in lowercase. Each posi-

tion on the circle contains two keys: the major key and its relative minor,

which share the same key signature.

&b

b

bb 44 œ.

J

œ œ

œ œn œ œ œ

œ œ

̇. Œ

Figure 6-4:
The same
melody in
minor mode
is shown
with the
F minor key
signature.

&b 4

4

œ.

J

œ œ

œ œ œ œ œ

œ œ

̇. Œ

Figure 6-3:

Our melody

in major

mode is

shown

with the

F major key

signature.

Chapter 6: Scales and Modes, Moods and Melodies 57