Key Signatures, Scales, and the Circle of Fifths

Completed by 24 learners

Ages 7-12

Live Group Class

Learn how to read key signatures, write major and minor scales, and use the Circle of Fifths to grow a deep understanding of music theory.

Nicole Werbicki

Average rating:

4.9

Number of reviews:

(230 reviews)

Live video meetings

1x per week, 4 weeks

3-9 learners per class

40 min

About Learning Overview Teacher Reviews

What's included

4 live meetings

2 hrs 40 mins in-class hours

Homework

1 hour per week. Worksheets and/or digital resources will be provided after each class.

Class Experience

**This course assumes that students have a basic to intermediate understanding of note reading for the Grand Staff, accidentals, and music playing.   If your student is a beginner, or is unsure of their note reading, I suggest first checking out my other courses in the series “Secret Language of Music”. 

We are taking music reading and theory to the next level by becoming comfortable with key signatures and scales.  These are used in every song, and we need to understand them I order to grow in our music playing and writing.  

Students will learn how to read key signatures, how major and minor scales are constructed, what are relative majors and minors, and how to use the Circle of Fifths to help remember it all. We also learn the order of sharps and flats. 

Our general schedule will be:

Day 1
-Whole steps and half steps
-Major Scales -sound, order of steps 
-Order of sharps and flats in a key signature 

Day 2
-Minor scales part 1 - sound, order of steps for natural minors
-Relative majors and minors 

Day 3 
-Key signatures
-How to determine the key of a song, part 1
-Minor scales, part 2 - sounds and changes for harmonic and melodic minors

Day 4
-How to determine the key of a song, part 2
-How to write a song using scales and key signatures (basic) 
-Preview of other modes and scale types

The Circle of Fifths will be taught and used throughout the entire course, as well as engaging games.

Learning Goals

Students will become proficient with key signatures, scales, and the Circle of Fifths. They will learn the differences between major and minor scales and key signatures, and how that impacts the music we play and write.

Other Details

Supply List

Music notation paper (either purchased from a store or printed from a file supplied by teacher.)
Pencil
Printed resources, provided by teacher before course starts

External Resources

Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.

Meet the teacher

Nicole Werbicki

Joined April, 2020

4.9

230reviews

Profile

Teacher expertise and credentials

I have been a music teacher for over 20 years, both as a private and group teacher.  I have taught multiple ages how to read music, and use the skill to further their music learning journey.