Open Key Notation

For centuries people have used the Circle of Fifths to figure out what chords and keys go well with each other. All it really is, is a simple clocklike schema that has key names instead of numbers. Adjacent key names usually sound great together. Also, the minor and the major key at the same position typically work well together.

But because not everybody knows that G major follows C major in the circle, beaTunes, just like a clock, also displays an alternative, numeric notation—the Open Key Notation (OK-Notation).

[extra large printable version] [small version]

In the Open Key Notation, a key X typically harmonizes with itself and the keys X±1 (with 0=12 and 1=13). Additionally, every key can be in a mode, i.e. major or minor. This is denoted by a d for Dur (major) and an m for Moll (minor). As long as the number stays the same, you can switch between d and m.

In essence this is what Harmonic Mixing is all about...

The name Open Key Notation and the corresponding artwork shown above are in the public domain.