The Circle of 5ths is a music theory concept that works as a useful tool for musicians of any background or genre. The Circle of Fifths can be used as a theory tool to understand key signatures, chord progressions and is used as a practice tool for learning patterns and chords in different keys.
Having a solid understanding of the Circle of Fifths helps build a better spacial awareness of music theory in general. In this tutorial I am going to explain how the Circle of Fifths works and how to use it. Let’s get started!
Get a FREE printable of this lesson HERE.
What is the Circle of Fifths?
There are 12 different notes in music - C, C#, D, Eb, E, F, F#, G, Ab, A, Bb, B. These notes are often organized by fifths in a circle, which we refer to as the Circle of Fifths.
When we move clockwise (to the right) via the Circle of Fifths, we are moving UP by fifths. When we move counterclockwise (to the left) via the Cirlce of Fifths, we are moving DOWN by fifths.
In these three examples, you will notice that there are two keys together. These are called enharmonic equivilants. Enharmonic equivilant means that the notes are exactly the same, they are just called different names depending on how they are being used. Db and C# are the same exact note, as you can see on the piano. You might see either depending on the key of a given song or the context that it is used.
Learning the Circle of Fifths
When we move clockwise around the Circle of Fifths, we are moving up by a perfect fifth. There are two different ways that you can work through understanding and mastering this concept: counting half steps, or thinking specifically of intervals.
Version A: Counting half steps
A perfect fifth consists of seven half steps. In order to work your way through the Circle of Fifths, you could count up seven half steps from note to note.
Practice Assignment:
Practice moving your way clockwise via the Circle of Fifths, by counting up seven half steps from note to note. As you move from key to key, write down the note names. Can you remember which notes are the enharmonic equivilants?
Version B: Thinking about intervals
Another way you could look at moving up by perfect fifths would be to play the first five notes of the major scale. Before you panic, there is a simple formula to understand how the five note major pentascale is organized.
The intervallic pattern of whole step-whole step-half step-whole step is the same in every key, so as long as you are able to repeat that pattern, then you will have no problem playing in every key.
Practice Assignment:
Practice moving your way clockwise via the Circle of Fifths, by following the whole step-wholestep-helf step-whole step pattern for the major pentascale. As you move from key to key, write down the note names. Can you remember which notes are the enharmonic equivilants?
Fifths and Fourths
Fifths and fourths are directly related to one another. Moving UP by a fifth is the same as moving DOWN by a fourth.
When we move clockwise (to the right), we are moving:
UP by FIFTHS or DOWN by FOURTHS
When we move counterclockwise (to the left), we are moving:
DOWN by FIFTHS or UP by FOURTHS
Learning the Circle of Fifths Counterclockwise (Moving up by fourths)
For an added theory bonus, let’s take some time to move counterclockwise via the Circle of Fifths. The best way to think about moving in this direction is to think that we are moving up by fourths. Since we will need a strong sense of moving to the four chords in harmony, this is a great exercise.
Version A: Counting half steps
A perfect fourth consists of fve half steps. In order to work your way through the Circle of Fifths, you could count up five half steps from note to note.
Practice Assignment:
Practice moving your way counterclockwise via the Circle of Fifths, by counting up five half steps from note to note. As you move from key to key, write down the note names. Can you remember which notes are the enharmonic equivilants?
Version B: Thinking about intervals
Another way you could look at moving up by perfect fourths would be to play the first four notes of the major scale. The intervallic pattern of whole step-whole step-half step (the same as we did for the pentascale, just stopping at the fourth notes) is how you can remember how to move.
Practice Assignment:
Practice moving your way counterclockwise via the Circle of Fifths, by following the whole step-wholestep-helf step pattern for the major pentascale. As you move from key to key, write down the note names. Can you remember which notes are the enharmonic equivilants?
“OK - I understand the Circle of Fifths. Now what?”
Before you accuse me of dishing out music theory torture for no reason, let’s get down to how we can use this information…
Need to learn more chords?
Sign up and get my FREE Ultimate Chord Cheat Sheets! Perfect for mastering your chords on piano.
1. Understanding Key Signatures
The key signature is the notation used to indicate the number of sharps or flats in a given key. We can use the Circle of Fifths to help us determine the key signatures of every key. Remember that a major key has either sharps or flats - NEVER both.
Sharp Keys
In this diagram, you can see that when we move clockwise (to the right) via the Circle of Fifths, we are adding sharps. The key of C has zero sharps or flats. The key of G has one sharp, the key of D has two sharps, etc. until we get to the key of C# which has 7 sharps.
How do you know which sharps to use? The order of Sharps is F, C, G, D, A, E, B.
Use this mnemonic:
Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle
The sharps always appear in this order. If there is one sharp, like in the key of G, that sharp has to be F#. If there are two sharps (key of D), those sharps have to be F# and C#.
Assignment:
Practice working your way clockwise via the circle of fifths and drilling the key signatures.
Flat Keys
When we move counterclockwise (to the left) via the Circle of Fifths, we are adding flats. The key of C has zero sharps or flats. The key of F has one flat, the key of Bb has two sharps, etc. until we get to the key of C# which has 7 sharps.
How do you know which flats to use? The order of flats is B, E, A, D, G, C, F.
Use this mnemonic (notice it’s the reverse of the one we used for sharps!):
Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles’ Father
The flats always appear in this order. If there is one flat, (key of F) that flat has to be Bb. If there are two flats (key of Bb), those sharps have to be Bb and Eb.
Assignment:
Practice working your way counterclockwise via the circle of fifths and drilling the key signatures. As you start to use this list and practice scales, chords you will start to memorize this information. You can definintely keep drilling yourself through this information.
Flat Keys
When we move counterclockwise (to the left) via the Circle of Fifths, we are adding flats. The key of C has zero sharps or flats. The key of F has one flat, the key of Bb has two sharps, etc. until we get to the key of C# which has 7 sharps.
How do you know which flats to use? The order of flats is B, E, A, D, G, C, F.
Use this mnemonic (notice it’s the reverse of the one we used for sharps!):
Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles’ Father
The flats always appear in this order. If there is one flat, (key of F) that flat has to be Bb. If there are two flats (key of Bb), those sharps have to be Bb and Eb.
Assignment:
Practice working your way counterclockwise via the circle of fifths and drilling the key signatures. As you start to use this list and practice scales, chords you will start to memorize this information. You can definintely keep drilling yourself through this information.
2. Understanding Fundamental Chord Progressions
A great investment of time is in mastering basic chord progressions. The two most obvious chord movements in Western-influenced music like classical, jazz, pop, rock, music theater and blues are going from the I to the IV and the V. The Circle of 5ths can act as an easy cheat sheet for this.
Pick any note on the Cirle of 5ths. To the left is the IV chord. To the right is the V chord. Easy!
Assignment:
Practice choosing a key on the Circle of Fifths and say the IV chord and the V chord. Bonus points if you also play this on the piano! You can also sing it!
3. A Fantastic Practice Tool
If you are working on learning your chords, scales or voicings on the piano I love to use the Circle of Fifths as a way to keep my practicing organized. Practice your chords clockwise via the circle of fifths. Once you can do that, practice them counterclockwise via the circle of fifths.
The Circle of Fifths is a tool everyone needs. Time to dive in and master it!
Are you ready to LEVEL UP your piano playing using a proven method?
Are you tired of STRUGGLING at the piano and want an easier way?
Have you taken piano lessons in the past and found that the process was SLOW, FRUSTRATING, or DIFFICULT ?
Piano Skills for Singers Level 2 is my #1 bestselling course, which has empowered hundreds of singers worldwide to amp up their piano skills and be confident and productive at the keyboard.
We skip the busy work from traditional piano classes and go right for the skills that will directly support your work as a singer, voice teacher, and choral conductor.
Brenda Takes a Vacation