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 You now know how to find Perfect Primes, 2nds and 3rds above or below any note. We will learn how to find Perfect 4^ths after learning how to find a Perfect 5^th above or below any note. After you learn 5^ths, you will learn how to find 4^ths via the principle of interval inversion.

A Perfect 5^th is an interval that contains seven half steps.

 The Perfect Fifth Above A is E

You already know that in the Cycle of Thirds, a 3^rd above a note is forward in the cycle. A 3^rd below a note is backward in the cycle. Perfect 5^ths work in the same way. A Perfect 5^th above a note is two steps forward in the cycle. A 5^th below a note is two steps backward in the cycle. Regarding the illustration above, you know that E is two steps forward in the Cycle of Thirds above A (A-C-E). To find a Perfect 5^th above any note, just count two steps forward in the Cycle of Thirds. There are no Major or minor 5^ths. Remember to match the signs if starting with a note that is sharp, flat, double sharp or flat. Example: If a perfect 5^th above A is E, then a perfect 5^th above Abb is Ebb. Finding 5^ths is one example of why it is very important that you master reciting the Cycle of Thirds. If you are still struggling to simply recite the Cycle of Thirds, then you must stop now and go back to master the first three steps in this course.

A Perfect 5^th above G is two steps forward from G: 1) B, 2) D.
D is a Perfect 5^th above G.

A Perfect 5^th above C# is two steps forward from C#: 1) E#, 2) G#.
G# is a Perfect 5^th above C#.

To find a Perfect 5^th below a note, count two steps backwards in the Cycle of Thirds.

A Perfect 5^th below E is two steps backward from E: 1) C, 2) A.
A is a Perfect 5^th below E.

A Perfect 5^th below Dbb is two steps backward from Dbb: 1) Bbb, 2) Gbb.
Gbb is a Perfect 5^th below Dbb.

 One BeautiFul exception

With the method for finding fifths above or below a given note, the cycle gives you the correct answer by counting two steps forwards or backwards. There is one exception. When moving two steps forward from B to F, you have to add one half step by raising the answer one half step (B to F#). This is also true from B# to F# (B# to F##) and Bb to Fb (Bb to F).

This also means that if you started from F and counted backwards two places to B, you must add one have step by lowering the answer one half step to Bb. This also applies to F# (F# to B) and Fb (Fb to Bbb). This exception exists because the distance between each two steps in the Cycle of Thirds is a perfect 5^th with seven half steps, except the fifth from B to F (six half steps), which is one half step short of a Perfect 5^th.

Below is a chart demonstrating how moving from any form of B to F raises F by one half step and moving from any form of F to B lowers B by one half step.

From B to F          From F to B

Raise 1/2 Step             Lower 1/2 Step

 An Easy Way to Remember:

In order to easily remember this exception, I give you the following visualization. Whenever you think of moving from B to F or from F to B when finding 5^ths, imagine a bunny (B) looking up to a fly (F - which is up in the air) and the fly (F) looks down at the bunny (B).

The bunny (B) always looks up to the fly (raises F). The fly (F) always looks down at the bunny (lowers B).

A Perfect 5^th above B is found by counting forward two steps. From B that is 1) D, 2) F. Remember the bunny looks up to the fly so you must raise F one half step to F#.  F# is a Perfect 5^th above B.

A Perfect 5^th below F is found by counting backward two steps. From F that is 1) D, 2) B. Remember the fly looks down to the bunny so you must lower B by one half step to Bb. Bb is a Perfect 5^th below F.

Exercise:

Each question asks you to find a Perfect 5^th either above some form of B or below some form of F. In the blanks, fill in the proper form of B or F. If some form of F is the given note, then count backward two steps in the Cycle of Thirds from F to B and put in the correct form of B.  If some form of B is the given note, then count forward two steps in the Cycle of Thirds from B to F and put in the correct form of F. This exercise is for practicing lowering (B) and raising (F) by one half step when determining the perfect fifth between them. Cover up the BF lists above.

1. B  _______         2. F##  _______       3. Bb  _______        4. F#  _______

5. Bbb  _______       6. F  _______         7. B#  _______        8. Fb  _______

Exercise:

Name the note that is a Perfect 5^th above the given note. Remember to count two steps forward in the Cycle of Thirds. Also, remember moving from any form of B to F raises that form of F by one half step.  Use the interval charts on the answer charts page to check your answers.

Exercise:

Fill in the blanks with the note that is a Perfect 5^th below the given note. Remember to count two steps backward in the Cycle of Thirds. Also, remember moving from any form of F to B lowers that form of B by one half step. Use the interval charts on the answer charts page to check your answers.

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