Keyboard layout can be visualized in two distinct groups or clusters. The first group consists of C, C# (also called D), and E. Visually, this layout contains three white keys and two black keys: five keys total. This configuration appears on an eighty-eight keyed piano seven full times. It is shown in Figure 12-2.

The next group of notes includes F, F# (also called G), and B: seven keys total. Like the previous note group, this configuration appears on an eighty-eight keyboard seven full times. This is illustrated in Figure 12-3.

When you put these two groups together you have twelve keys total. That's five plus seven. If you include one more note on the top—a C—the cycle will be complete. That same C also signals the beginning of a new cycle. A full note cycle from C to C is indicated in Figure 12-4. This cycle is called an octave.

FIGURE 12-2: C – E keyboard layout

FIGURE 12-3: F – B keyboard layout

FIGURE 12-4: C – C keyboard layout