Key Compass

A target key is named with its key signature. Steer the compass clockwise (toward sharps) or counter-clockwise (toward flats) around the circle of fifths to reach it, collecting accidentals along the way. Land cleanly on each key in the round; overshoots count against your score.

• Each clockwise step adds a sharp, each counter-clockwise step adds a flat
• Reach every target key in the round to finish
• Fewer overshoots and faster navigation score higher

• Desktop: click the Sharp (CW) and Flat (CCW) buttons, or press the Right and Left arrow keys
• Phone & tablet: tap the two steer buttons

• Daily: a shared route seeded from today's date
• Practice: fresh randomized routes

• Read the step counter, it tells you the shorter direction to the target around the wheel
• Recall the order of sharps and flats so each new key's signature confirms you're heading the right way

Key Compass turns the circle of fifths into a navigation puzzle for learning key signatures.

• Skills: the circle of fifths, key signatures, music theory
• Best for: roughly grades 6–12 (ages 11+)
• For parents & teachers: key signatures via the circle of fifths.

Steering clockwise toward sharps and anti-clockwise toward flats to reach a named key is the circle of fifths, the map of how key signatures relate.

Collecting accidentals as you travel is the original device.

The circle is the one diagram in music theory that is genuinely a map. Adjacent keys differ by exactly one accidental, so distance around the circle is a real measure of harmonic distance — which is why modulating to a neighbour sounds natural and jumping across sounds like an event.

Key Compass turns the circle of fifths into a navigation puzzle for learning key signatures. It is an original, free browser game built in-house for PlayPendium.

A free, original browser game on PlayPendium. No download, no install.