Circle of Fifths Quiz
Questions: 16 · 10 minutes
1. On the circle of fifths, which minor key shares E major’s four-sharp key signature?
C-sharp minor
F-sharp minor
G-sharp minor
E minor
2. A score’s key signature contains only B-flat. Which major key does the circle indicate?
B-flat major
E-flat major
F major
D minor
3. Which major key has four flats in its key signature?
E-flat major
D-flat major
A-flat major
B-flat major
4. A musician moves one position counterclockwise from E major. Which major key is reached?
B major
F-sharp major
D major
A major
5. Which sequence correctly gives the first three flats added as you move through flat key signatures?
B-flat, A-flat, E-flat
E-flat, B-flat, A-flat
F-flat, B-flat, E-flat
B-flat, E-flat, A-flat
6. Which sequence correctly lists the first four major keys when constructing the circle clockwise from C?
C, F, B-flat, E-flat
C, G, D, A
C, D, E, F-sharp
C, A, E, B
7. A progression has roots C–G–D–A. How does each root move on the standard circle of fifths?
Two steps clockwise by a major second
One step counterclockwise by an ascending perfect fifth
One step clockwise by an ascending perfect fifth
One step counterclockwise by a descending major third
8. Starting at C major and moving one position clockwise around the circle of fifths, which major key comes next?
G major
F major
D major
A major
9. At the point opposite C on a commonly notated circle, which two major keys are enharmonic equivalents?
B major and C-flat major
C-sharp major and D-flat major
G-sharp major and A-flat major
F-sharp major and G-flat major
10. You are constructing the flat side of the circle. Which major key should be placed immediately clockwise from B-flat major?
F major
C major
E-flat major
A major
11. A piece in C major needs a closely related major key whose signature adds one sharp. Which destination best fits?
E major
G major
A major
F-sharp major
12. Which major key has a key signature of three sharps?
D major
A major
E major
B major
13. Which pair of major keys is adjacent on the circle and differs by exactly one sharp?
C major and D major
G major and D major
F major and D major
A major and E major
14. You are writing a melody in D major. Which pair of notes should normally be sharpened by the key signature?
C and G
F and G
F and C
B and E
15. You are building the sharp side of the circle. After F-sharp and C-sharp, which accidental is added next?
G-sharp
A-sharp
D-sharp
E-sharp
16. Starting at C major and moving one position counterclockwise, which major key do you reach?
B-flat major
D-flat major
G major
F major