App guide
Circle of Fourths
Start with one key. Build the relationship. This board lets a class uncover the circle gradually instead of meeting every label at once.
- Build
v0.15.0- Open the app
- circle-of-fourths.backwerdrhythmshop.com
- Account or install
- None
- Cost
- Free
Begin in Build mode
- Leave the direction on Fourths and begin with C major.
- Select a covered position to reveal the next key when the class is ready.
- Select any visible key to move its signature, accidental count, relative minor, and practice keyboard into focus.
- Use Hide all or Start fresh when you want to rebuild the idea from the beginning.
Why fourths first? It follows a common band-classroom path through the flat keys. Switch to Fifths when you want the standard clockwise reading; the musical relationships do not change.
The four board modes
| Mode | Use it for |
|---|---|
| Build | A progressive whole-class reveal. Covered positions become plus buttons. |
| Standard poster | The complete circle, ready to project or print. |
| Focus | One selected key and its supporting details, with the rest visually quiet. |
| Quiz | A student sheet or answer key for key names, signatures, and accidental counts. |
Choose only the layers you need
- Key signatures — written on a five-line staff.
- Accidental counts — the number and flat or sharp symbol.
- Relative minors — the paired minor key for each major key.
- Keyboards — a one-octave path for the selected major scale.
- Accidental order — the order flats or sharps enter the signature.
The Layers button opens these choices. Keeping two or three visible is usually clearer than turning everything on at once.
Practice the selected key
The practice keyboard shows the selected major scale across two octaves. Choose a piano or xylophone-style layout, then mark scale-degree roles such as tonic, subdominant, dominant, and leading tone. Lit bars belong to the scale; outlined bars carry the roles you selected.
Share the exact board
Copy lesson link saves the board’s direction, mode, selected key, revealed positions, visible layers, keyboard choice, and marked roles in the URL. Paste that link into a lesson plan or LMS and the same setup opens on another device.
Reset link removes the saved setup from the address. Start fresh also returns the controls to their starting state.
Print posters
Standard poster opens the printable board. Choose US Letter, A4, or 11 × 17, then download the fixed PDF for dependable classroom printing. Print current board prints the exact view you built when you need a focused handout.
Make a quiz
Quiz mode includes three starting points:
- How many accidentals? gives key names and asks for the number and type.
- Name that key gives written signatures and asks for major-key names.
- Build the flat side asks students to complete the major-key sequence moving by fourths.
You can limit the scope to all keys, flats, or sharps; decide which fields are given, answered, or omitted; and preview the student sheet beside the answer key before printing.
Presenting and accessibility
Present removes extra chrome for projection. The board uses labeled buttons, visible keyboard focus, semantic regions, and reduced-motion-friendly behavior. On a smaller screen, the controls and selected-key panel stack without losing the board.
Privacy
Circle of Fourths has no account and no student-data backend. A copied setup lives in the link itself. The board does not grade playing, listen through a microphone, or report student progress.
Help and feedback
- Report a problem: support@backwerdrhythmshop.com
- Request a feature: feedback@backwerdrhythmshop.com
Include the app name, the page URL, your browser, what you expected, and what happened.
Build the circle with your class.
Reveal one key, then let the relationship do the teaching.