circle of 5ths

[reyna]

How is everyone. I was wondering if anyone could explain the circle of fifths to me and how they are used in congregation songs(any).

[playhear]

Here's my favorite link for the Circle of Fifths:

http://songweaver.com/music/co5.html

That page has helped me. I hope it helps you.

[mr-spcs]

There is some info about it on my site too.
http://musicianswiki.com

[reyna]

thanks

[T-Block]

reyna wrote:

How is everyone. I was wondering if anyone could explain the circle of fifths to me and how they are used in congregation songs(any).

To answer your question, the circle of 5ths is not necessarily used in congregations songs.  U talking about the circle of 4ths.  Here is an explanation:

The circle of 5ths/4ths has absolutely nothing to do with actual chords. So if u trying to find chords using this, u wasting your time.  It is just keys and notes. Here is how i look at each circle:

The circle of 5ths is used to show how many sharps or flats are in each key. It is like a clock. You start at the top with C that has no sharps or flats. Then you move clockwise (to the right) to G, which has 1 sharp, then to D, which has 2 sharps, then to A, which has 3 sharps, then to E, which has 4 sharps, then to B, which has 5 shaprs, then to F#, which has 6 sharps, then to C#, which has 7 sharps. From there, you switch to flats with Cb, which has 7 flats, then to Gb, which has 6 flats, then to Db which has 5 flats, then to Ab, which has 4 flats, then to Eb, which has 3 flats, then to Bb, which has 2 flats, then to F, which has 1 flat, then you are back at C. Here is an illustration:

C = 0 sharps or flats
G = 1 sharp (F#)
D = 2 sharps (F#, C#)
A = 3 sharps (F#, C#, G#)
E = 4 sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#)
B = 5 sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#, A#)
F# = 6 sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#)
C# = 7 shaprs (F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#, B#)
(switch)
Cb = 7 flats (Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb, Fb)
Gb = 6 flats (Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb)
Db = 5 flats (Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb)
Ab = 4 flats (Bb, Eb, Ab, Db)
Eb = 3 flats (Bb, Eb, Ab)
Bb = 2 flats (Bb, Eb)
F = 1 flat (Bb)
C = 0 sharps or flats

The circle of 4ths is where your progressions come from. In other words, it has solely to do with bass/LH notes. To me, that is the only significance of it. Just take the circle of 5ths and read it backwards.

See what I mean by keys and note? Circle of 5ths is for keys and circle of 4ths is for notes.

To get chords, you use the bass notes to come up with chords.  How?  Well, u can start by taking a bass note and writing down all the possible chords that could go with that note, that are associated to the key u in.  I will be back later to better explain how to figure out chords and stuff.

[reyna]

thank you T-block that is exactly what I wanted to know. I would like to know about making different chord with the bass. I usually find a chord and then try to avoid the bass. It doen't work very well.

[playhear]

I usually find a chord and then try to avoid the bass.

Do you mean you avoid your left hand altogether? Please explain.

[reyna]

yes. as much as I could. on the piano. On the Organ I improvise

[playhear]

To my ears, block chords sound muddy in the bass. Even if I use arpeggios, full chords in the bass sound muddy to me. I will only play the full chord with my left hand if I’m playing the left hand at a higher register.

Let’s assume you’re playing without a bassist, so you’re going to want to use the lower registers with your left hand. For any chord, I have memorized the 1, 5 and the dominant 7 notes. I space these note out in a nice bass rhythm resembling a bass guitar. Let’s think about it: the 1 and 5 of gospel chords rarely changes no matter the chord. Note that in the bass, you can play a dominant 7 note with almost any chord, including minors, dominants and majors (yes, even majors). You don’t believe me? Try it out.

I’ve effectively taken my mind out of my left hand. If I want to get creative, I can change things around a bit down there. However, memorizing the 1, 5 and dominant 7 notes frees my mind yet gives me a solid foundation that sounds good. My mind is then free to throw in riffs with either hand.