What is the Circle of Fifths?
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The Circle of Fifths is a key music theory tool that illustrates the relationships between the 12 notes of the western pitch system. It helps in determining key signatures, predicting chord progressions, and improvising. Understanding this concept enhances various musical activities, such as songwriting and harmony recognition.
What is the Circle of Fifths?
- 1. What is the Circle of Fifths Learn more: http://eartra.in/a22
- 2. The Circle of Fifths is a powerful tool from music theory • Also known as: "Cycle of Fifths", "Circle of Fourths" • It covers all 12 notes of the Western pitch system. • It reveals how those notes relate to each other. Learn more: http://eartra.in/a22
- 3. The Circle of Fifths is a very practical tool You can use it to: • work out the notes in a scale as it reveals the key signature. • predict the next chord in a progression based on the arrangement of chords on the circle. • choose notes or chords when improvising from those near each other on the circle. • understand why certain notes and chords "go together" in music, great for song-writing Learn more: http://eartra.in/a22
- 4. The Circle of Fifths is a series of notes, arranged in a circle • The series of notes increases by fifths, moving round like a clock and eventually ending up where it began. • Going the other direction gives a series of fourths (hence "Circle of Fourths") Learn more: http://eartra.in/a22
- 6. The Circle reveals key signatures • As you move clockwise from C, the number of sharps increases. Learn more: http://eartra.in/a22
- 7. The Circle reveals key signatures • As you move counter- clockwise, the number of flats increases. Learn more: http://eartra.in/a22
- 8. It seems complicated but you can memorise it easily • Notice that it repeats: The letters on the left-hand side repeat the right-hand side (with added accidentals) • Just memorise: F, C, G, D, A, E, B • There you have it! Learn more: http://eartra.in/a22
- 9. Learning the Circle of Fifths pays off in many ways • It is not just "theory for the sake of it" • Learn the circle and you will find it comes up everywhere in your musical life • You will spot the circle in melodies, chords and harmony, improvisation and song writing • Learn it today - it's well worth it! Learn more: http://eartra.in/a22
- 10. Learn More Learn more: http://eartra.in/a22