This sequence of semi-tones and whole tones is called the Ionian or Major scale. It's important to notice that the Ionian scale (and all of the modes) have seven notes.

With the Ionian scale in hand we can build the sequence of Major and Minor Keys. The starting key is the key of C. The notes in a key are called degrees. The seven degrees in the key of C are:

By using the fifth degree in each key we can figure out what the next Major key in the circle of fifths is. The fifth degree in the key of C is G, so the next key is G:

After that the next key is D, because it is the fifth degree in the key of G.

The sequence of Minor Keys uses the 4^th degree in each key. The first minor key is F because the 4^th degree in the key of C is F.

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