The Cycle Of 5ths

We’re still counting 5ths up, but from F# upwards the enharmonic equivalents come in to play.

The ‘complete’ cycle would look like this from bottom to top.

F#/Gb
C#/Db
G#/Ab
D#/Eb
A#/Bb
E#/F
B#/C

The graphic has a mixture of sharps and flats because it omits some theoretical keys that aren’t practical.

E# and B# are the same as F and C.
Fb and Cb are the same as E and B.

The keys of G#, D# and A# all have double sharps. You’ll often see their enharmonic equivalents only: Ab, Eb and Bb respectively.

The keys of F# and C# don’t have any double sharps. That’s why you see both of them in the cycle of 5ths: F#/Gb and C#/Db.

I’m not sure why Justin’s graphic doesn’t include C#. @Richard_close2u might give us some more insight.

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