I was wondering why B and E don't have a sharp?

[JW56789]

Because there isn't a black key between B and C, nor E and F ! ! !

 

[Slipper]

Thanks for you answers mambo4 and Wasnex.

I have understood that in the context of the key B#=C and E#=F.
But for the time being I don't understand fully the circle of 5ths graphic you posted, and I am quite confused by the concept of key signatures.
I will make some readings on theory.

Thanks for you explanations!

 

[Wasnex]

Thanks for you answers mambo4 and Wasnex.

I have understood that in the context of the key B#=C and E#=F.
But for the time being I don't understand fully the circle of 5ths graphic you posted, and I am quite confused of discrepancies between your explanations and the wheel.
For example at the key signature for F#Maj/D#Min, I see a Eb in the key signature, and not a E# as you indicated.
I probably misread the wheel. I will make some readings on theory.

Thanks for you explanations!

Enharmonic notes sound the same, but they have different names and functions. When you are thinking in C#Major you need to envision the keyboard like this.

If you use TAB: Here's a page with a neck diagram: C-sharp Major Scale for Bass Guitar

 

[Slipper]

Once again, thank you very much for your advice and patience.
I think I miss a lot of theory, as I don't see the relation between the keyboard example that was alluded as well by Jwilson I think, and the present question. I guess white keys are natural notes and the black the accidental ones, and that the purpose of the picture is to show that D=E# and C=B# when in the C# major scale?

I guess it is the same for the most common scale, the C major scale.
But I don't see the relation with the cycle of fifth diagram.

As I told you I miss proper education in music theory and need to do some reading. Thank you for your help, I will surely understand it in light of my future readings.

 

[Wasnex]

Once again, thank you very much for your advice and patience.
I think I miss a lot of theory, as I don't see the relation between the keyboard example that was alluded as well by Jwilson I think, and the present question. I guess white keys are natural notes and the black the accidental ones, and that the purpose of the picture is to show that D=E# and C=B# when in the C# major scale?

I guess it is the same for the most common scale, the C major scale.
But I don't see the relation with the cycle of fifth diagram.

As I told you I miss proper education in music theory and need to do some reading. Thank you for your help, I will surely understand it in light of my future readings.

In the key of C#Maj, E# = E# and B# = B#. F and C do not exist within this key.

The problem is you keep maintaining erroneous assumptions instead of doing the work and learning. None of the keys on the keyboard have set names. They change as needed, so your assumption is incorrect!

I also provided a link to a webpage that shows this to be true on the neck of bass as well.

Do you have a problem with the same black key functioning situationally as either Bb or A#. If no, then you should have no problem with a white key functioning as a sharp. As you get further into theory, you also have to deal with double sharps.

The first thing you need to do is let go of the idea that white keys are always natural notes. This is a false assumption.

 

[Groove Master]

Any ideas?

Because they are a half-step away from another note. But they do exist in an altered form either with a flat or sharp.

You now enter the mysterious world of enharmonic LOL

 

[mambo4]

The circle of fifths needs to come after one learns how a major scale is constructed from a series if whole steps and half steps.

Specifically there is a half step between the 3rd and 4th, and between the 7th and the octave. In the key of C major this happens to be E-F, and B-C. This is how the white keys form the key of C major.

A major scale started on another note must use some of the black keys to keep those half steps between 3-4 and 7-8.

Key signatures describe "where the half steps go", in a sense - which black keys keep those half steps in the right place.

After you understand that, you can look to the circle of fifths to relate keys to one another.

 

[OptimalOptimus]

Music naming was done in other language before English. When they decided to unify everything it kinda messed up in English and German since they are pretty much the only one to use Alphabet to name the notes.

anyway it is a very long evolution from Gregorian to modern writing and of course the evolution of equal temperament

 

[phillipkregg]

How did this 12 year old thread get resurrected?

 

[TheAnalogKid]

How did this 12 year old thread get resurrected?

I'm guessing a TB'er did a search on this very question and found this thread, for which I'm actually glad he/she did! I often have to revisit this rather dodgy subject to get a refresher in theory.

 

[Groove Master]

How did this 12 year old thread get resurrected?