(Music) The Circle of Fifths

The circle of fifths helps you to unravel the mystery of how chords and keys all connect. Once you understand and can apply the circle of fifths you can compose chord progressions and modulate between keys, unlocking a vast tonal world to explore.


The Circle of Fifths

Mnemonic:

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The Circle of Fifths - Minor Keys and Advanced Uses





First Practice:

Go around the circle alternating between the major scales (outer ring) and the minor scales (inner ring).


Effectively Practicing with Circle of Fifths Patterns

Play through these progressions, which go anti-clockwise through the circle of fifths:

Bass	Maj7 Chord
C	C E G B
F	C E F A
Bb	Bb D F A
Eb	Bb D Eb G
Ab	Ab C Eb G
Db	Ab C Db F
Gb	Gb Bb Db F
B	F# A# B D#
E	E G# B D#
A	E G# A C#
D	D F# A C#
G	D F# G B
C	C E G B

Bass	Maj7 Chord
C	E B E
F	E A E
Bb	D A D
Eb	D G D
Ab	C G C
Db	C F C
Gb	Bb F Bb
B	A# Eb A#
E	G# D# G#
A	G# C# G#
D	F# C# F#
G	F# B F#
C	E B E

Bass	Min9 Chord
C	Bb D Eb G
F	A D Eb G
Bb	Ab C Db F
Eb	G C Db F
Ab	Gb Bb B Eb
Db	F Bb B Eb
Gb	E Ab A Db
B	D# G# A C#
E	D F# G B
A	C# F# G B
D	C E F A
G	B E F A
C	Bb D Eb G

After this, try doing the same thing with any chord you like.