The circle of fifths is a helpful tool for understanding music theory. It is a visual representation of the 12 notes of the chromatic scale, and the relationships between them. By looking at the circle of fifths, you can better understand how key centers work, which in turn will help you understand how chords are built and progressions are formed.
The circle of fifths is made up of 12 points, each representing a note of the chromatic scale. Since there are 12 notes, there are also 12 keys. Each point on the circle of fifths also represents the key center for that note. Starting with C and going clockwise, each point is a perfect fifth (seven semitones) away from the previous one. In this way, the circle of fifths is a representation of the harmonic series. You can also find the next perfect fifth on the circle by ascending 5 notes up the major scale. The note you land on will be your next key. For example, take the first 5 notes of the C major scale: C, D, E, F, G. “G” will be your next key on the circle of fifths.
The circle of fifths can be used to better understand chord progressions. For example, if you start on C and go clockwise around the circle, the chords are C, G, D, A, E, B, F#(Gb), C#(Db), G#(Ab), D#(Eb), A#(Bb), F, and back to C. This is called a circle, or cyclical progression, and it is very common in popular music. The parentheses indicate the enharmonic equivalent or the same pitch written as a flat. Once you pass the halfway point from C on the circle of fifths, using flat keys becomes more economical to avoid double sharps. The flat keys can be understood by using the circle of fourths which I will discuss later in this article.
The circle of fifths is also useful for understanding keys and modulations. By looking at the circle, you can see which notes are in each key and how they relate to one another. You can also use it to find keys that are related to each other, allowing you to modulate between them easily. Understanding the circle of fifths is a great way to understand music theory better. The way to figure out which notes are in which key is through the key signature. The key signature tells you how many sharps or flats are in a key. You will ascend the musical alphabet until you reach the note you started on, altering any notes from that contain sharps or flats from the key signature. As you go through the circle, you add a sharp sign to each key and accumulate sharps as you go. The shortcut to remembering which sharp you add is that it is the letter before the key you are in or the 7th note of that key. For example, the key of G has one sharp: “F#”. Therefore the G major scale is spelled: “G,A,B,C,D,E,F#,G. The next key: “D” contains 2 sharps: “F#” and “C#”. Therefore the D major scale is spelled: “D, E, F#, G, A, B, C#, D”.
The circle of fourths is a helpful tool for understanding music theory and is closely related to the circle of fifths; in fact, starting on C and going the opposite direction (counterclockwise) is the circle of fourths. Like the circle of fifths, it is a visual representation of the 12 notes of the chromatic scale and their relationships. However, instead of perfect fifths (seven semitones), the circle of fourths is made up of perfect fourths (five semitones). You can also find the next key on the circle by counting up four notes of the major scale. Ex: C major scale: C, D, E, F. “F” will be the next key on the circle of fourths.
The circle of fourths can be used to understand chord progressions, just like the circle of fifths. Starting with C and going counterclockwise, the chords are F, Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb(F#), Cb(B), Bbb(A), Ebb(D), Abb(G), and back to C. This is sometimes referred to as “backcycling” and is also a very common progression in popular music.
The circle of fourths can also be used to understand keys and modulations. By looking at the circle, you can see which notes are in each key and how they relate to one another. You can also use it to find keys that are related to each other, allowing you to modulate between them easily. The circle of fourths can be used to understand the flat keys. Similarly to the process of accumulating sharps as you climb the circle of fifths, you accumulate flats as you ascend the circle of fourths. The shortcut for which flat you add to the key signature is that it is the fourth note of the key you are in. For example, the key of F has one flat: “Bb”. Therefore it is spelled: “F, G, A, Bb, C, D, E, F”. The next key is “Bb”. The key of Bb has 2 flats: “Bb” and “Eb”. Therefore it is spelled: “Bb, C, D, Eb, F, G, A, Bb”.
Understanding the circle of fifths and the circle of fourths will equip you with the knowledge you need to understand key signatures, chord progressions, and scales.
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