Zigzag of Fifths

Key signatures are easy with this fun alternative to the circle of fifths!

With the Zigzag of Fifths app, you can:

• Instantly see which notes belong to every key signature, just by dragging the window across the zigzag.
• Visualize how the notes change between key signatures by watching them move on the piano keys.
• Listen to major and minor scales to hear how changing the tonic changes the sound, even when the key signature is unchanged.
• Explore 7 different patterns in the Zigzag of Fifths, including the order sharps and flats are added to key signatures; relative minors; major 2nd and perfect 5th intervals; and more.
• Pick your preferred way to name the notes: English note letter names, Fixed Do solfege, or German note letter names.
• Change the color scheme: Match colored instruments, pick a scheme that is better for colorblindness, or use a monochromatic scheme if you prefer notes to be grayscale.

To explore Note Teams: Simply drag the window along the Zigzag of Fifths to change which 7 notes are shown within the window. Each set of 7 notes is a Note Team with a unique key signature that shows which notes on the team are sharp or flat.

Switch between major and minor modes to change the tonic note, or Team Captain. Listen to the scale to hear how changing the musical mode changes the sound of the Note Team.

Make the piano visible to visualize how sharps and flats are added on the piano keyboard.

To explore patterns in the Zigzag of Fifths: Cycle through all 7 patterns or jump to a specific pattern by opening the pattern menu (use the 'i' button on the main menu Explore Patterns icon or touch the "Pattern #" title to open the menu). Each pattern has a learn and apply mode. Switch between modes using the right of the 3 central buttons. Patterns:

1. Order sharps and flats are added
2. Note Teams
3. Relative minors
4. Number of sharps/flats in major keys
5. Number of sharps/flats in minor keys
6. Major 2nd intervals
7. Perfect 5th intervals