Circle of Fifths

[MrTea]

The Circle of Fifths, is a concept use by jazz musicians to practice playing ii,V, I, chord patterns in all keys.  Its called the circle of  fifths  because you will come full circle back to where you started.  The root moves  down in fifths and up in forths, or, up in forths and down in  fifths around a circle sort of. In the right hand you play the 3rd and 7th (or 6th) of the chord.  The left hand plays the root or 1 chord tone.  Its best to play the left hand root an octive below the right hand 3, 7th voicing..  Also you can play the root(1) and the seventh(7th) in the left hand for a more fuller sound.  The third and seventh determine the chord type.  Whether it is major, minor, or dominate.  This method allows the jazz musician to play a melody on top of the 3, and 7 or 7, and 3, in the right hand.  Check out,  'Jazz open voicings' for keyboards by Dick Grove for more information.  Its been around since the eighties, but you may be able to find it at www.sheetmusicplus.com for about $14.00.




     Key:   Signiture    LH=Root(1)     RH= 3rd,    7th      Pattern          Chord 

1:  C:                              D               F,           C                2           Dmi7
                                      G               F,           B                5           G7
                                      C               E,           B                1           Cmaj7


2:  F;        b                     G              Bb,          F                 2          Gmi7
                                      C              Bb,          E                 5          C7
                                      F              A,            E                 1          Fmaj7

3:  Bb       bb                   C,             Eb,         Bb                 2          Cmi7
                                      F,             Eb,         A                   5          F7
                                      Bb            D            A                  1          Bbmaj7

4: Eb          bbb                F              Ab,        Eb                  2          Fmi7
                                      Bb             Ab,        D                   5          Bb7
                                      Eb             G           D                   1          Ebmaj7

5: Ab         bbbb              Bb              Db,      Ab                   2          Bbmi7
                                      Eb              Db        G                   5          Eb7
                                      Ab              C          G                   1          Abmaj7

6: Db        bbbbb              Eb              Gb        Db                  2          Ebmi7
                                      Ab              Gb        C                    5          Ab7
                                      Db              F          C                    1          Dbmaj7

7. Gb        bbbbbb            Ab              B          Gb                  2          Abmi7
                                      Db              B          F                    5           Db7
                                      Gb              Bb        F                    1           Gbmaj7

8. F#       ######          G#              B          F#                 2           G#mi7
                                      C#              B          F                   5            C#7
                                      F#              A#        F                   1            F#maj7

9. B         #####            C#              E          B                    2           C#mi7
                                      F#              E          A#                  5           F#7
                                      B                D#        A#                 1           Bmaj7

10. E       ####               F#              A           E                   2          F#mi7
                                      B                A           D#                 5          B7
                                      E                G#         D#                 1          Emaj7



11. A        ###                B                 D           A                   2          Bmi7
                                      E                 D           G#                 5          E7
                                      A                 C#         G#                 1          Amaj7
 
12. D        ##                  E                  G           D                  2          Emi7
                                      A                  G           C#                5          A7
                                      D                  F#         C#                1          Dmaj7

13. G        #                    A                  C           G                  2          Ami7
                                      D                  C           F#                5          D7
                                      G                  B           F#                1          Gmaj7


14. C                               D                  F           C                  2           Dmi7
                                      G                  F            B                 5           G7
                                      C                  E            B                 1           Cmaj7

[Cherri]

Jazz Theory Mark Levine is a good source too.

[4hisglory]

Thanks for the info MrTea

[MrTea]

You are welcome, hope this help.

[Ladymusic88]

Thanks for the refresher course, MrTea!

Be Blessed!
Ladymusic88

[MrTea]

You are welcome Ladymusic88.

[T-Block]

Just in case there are some people who still don't understand the circle of 5ths, here is another way to look at it:

The circle of 5ths tells you how many sharps or flats are in each key.  Moving clockwise (right), the notes move in 5ths.  Moving counter-clockwise (left), the notes move in 4ths.  I can't show you a circle, but I can put it in a form that illustrates this, u can try to draw it if you want to:

C = 0 sharps or flats (12 o'clock)
G = 1 sharp; F# (1 o'clock)
D = 2 sharps; F#, C# (2 o'clock)
A = 3 sharps; F#, C#, G# (3 o'clock)
E = 4 sharps; F#, C#, G#, D# (4 o'clock)
B/Cb  = 5 sharps; F#, C#, G#, D#, A# (5 o'clock)  /  7 flats; Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb, Fb
F#/Gb = 6 sharps; F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#  /  6 flats; Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb (6 o'clock)
Db/C# = 5 flats; Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb (7 o'clock)  /  7 sharps; F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#, B#
Ab = 4 flats; Bb, Eb, Ab, Db (8 o'clock)
Eb = 3 flats; Bb, Eb, Ab (9 o'clock)
Bb = 2 flats; Bb, Eb (10 o'clock)
F = 1 flat; Bb (11 o'clock)

The keys C# and Cb aren't usually present in the circle (i just added them there), but there is a reason why.  Notice that the circle starts with C, having no sharps or flats.  Now, the key of C# has everything being sharped, and the Cb has everything being flatted.  So, what you can do is make a separate circle for the sharps, and a separate circle for the flats, and it could go on forever.  I'll show you a little of each:

Sharps Circle

C = 0 sharps (12 o'clock)
G = 1 sharp; F# (1 o'clock)
D = 2 sharps; F#, C# (2 o'clock)
A = 3 sharps; F#, C#, G# (3 o'clock)
E = 4 sharps; F#, C#, G#, D# (4 o'clock)
B  = 5 sharps; F#, C#, G#, D#, A# (5 o'clock)
F#= 6 sharps; F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#

C# = 7 sharps / all sharps; F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#, B# (12 o'clock)
G = 1 double sharp; F## (1 o'clock)
D = 2 double sharps; F##, C## (2 o'clock)
A = 3 double sharps; F##, C##, G## (3 o'clock)
etc.

Flats Circle

C = 0 flats (12 o'clock)
F = 1 flat; Bb (11 o'clock)
Bb = 2 flats; Bb, Eb (10 o'clock)
Eb = 3 flats; Bb, Eb, Ab (9 o'clock)
Ab = 4 flats; Bb, Eb, Ab, Db (8 o'clock)
Db = 5 flats; Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb (7 o'clock)
Gb = 6 flats; Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb (6 o'clock)

C = 7 flats / all flats; (12 o'clock)
F = 1 double flat; Bbb (11 o'clock)
Bb = 2 double flats; Bbb, Ebb (10 o'clock)
Eb = 3 double flats; Bbb, Ebb, Abb (9 o'clock)

You see that?  Theory stuff can go on into infinity, but to make things easier, we try to keep it as simple as possible.  Can you imagine trying to read music containing a bunch of double sharps and flats?

Like I said, this is just another way of explaining this concept.  If anyone else wants to add in some stuff here, feel free to do so.  I'm making this a sticky so the information will always be visible.

[xp80]

The circle of fifths is a western European use of tonality or key structure that was actually being used back in the 18th century-and earlier. It's important to know, because it teaches you about tendency/leading tones. If you study how contemporary music is structured you'll find the the majority of the music we listen to is based on the circle of fifths(or a substitution of the 5th).

At this point in history composers and players use it instinctively because it just sounds right.   

[Grandma D]

I never saw the Circle like this before ... thanks for the progressions. I like how they sound!

[MrTea]

Well, I'm glad you can use them.  Yes, these simple three note chord patterns are the secrete to playing songs in any key.  With a little practice, your fingers will know where to go without even thinking about it.  And then you can add 5ths,9ths, llths, or 13ths notes for a little extra seasoning.  LOL  




God Bless

MrTea

[Shadow_]

I have a question regarding the ease of modulation using the circle of fifths.

Now i understand its use and i employ it in my practice routine, but what puzzles me is that if i am in the key of F and i wish to mudulate to Ab. Does this mean i have to travel through Bb and Eb just to get there?

[MrTea]

That's one way of doing it.  Or you could take the direct approach:


1 F/AE       =FM7        1
  Bb/AD     =BbM7      4
  Ab/GC     =AbM7      1

or

2 Walk up to Ab;
   F/AE       =FM7        1
   G/BbF     =Gm7       2
   Ab/CG     =AbM7      1  in the new key

3 or you can take the II, V   approach through several keys to get to Ab;

  C/BbEb     =Cm7       2
  F/AEb       =F7          5
  B/AD        =Bm7       2
  E/AbD       =E7         5
  Bb/AbDb    =Bbm7    2
  Eb/GDb      =Eb7       5
  Ab/GC        =AbM7    1

[Shadow_]

Alright. Thank You very much MrTea.

[clefnote]

Just in case there are some people who still don't understand the circle of 5ths, here is another way to look at it:

The circle of 5ths tells you how many sharps or flats are in each key.  Moving clockwise (right), the notes move in 5ths.  Moving counter-clockwise (left), the notes move in 4ths.  I can't show you a circle, but I can put it in a form that illustrates this, u can try to draw it if you want to:

C = 0 sharps or flats (12 o'clock)
G = 1 sharp; F# (1 o'clock)
D = 2 sharps; F#, C# (2 o'clock)
A = 3 sharps; F#, C#, G# (3 o'clock)
E = 4 sharps; F#, C#, G#, D# (4 o'clock)
B/Cb  = 5 sharps; F#, C#, G#, D#, A# (5 o'clock)  /  7 flats; Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb, Fb
F#/Gb = 6 sharps; F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#  /  6 flats; Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb (6 o'clock)
Db/C# = 5 flats; Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb (7 o'clock)  /  7 sharps; F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#, B#
Ab = 4 flats; Bb, Eb, Ab, Db (8 o'clock)
Eb = 3 flats; Bb, Eb, Ab (9 o'clock)
Bb = 2 flats; Bb, Eb (10 o'clock)
F = 1 flat; Bb (11 o'clock)

The keys C# and Cb aren't usually present in the circle (i just added them there), but there is a reason why.  Notice that the circle starts with C, having no sharps or flats.  Now, the key of C# has everything being sharped, and the Cb has everything being flatted.  So, what you can do is make a separate circle for the sharps, and a separate circle for the flats, and it could go on forever.  I'll show you a little of each:

Sharps Circle

C = 0 sharps (12 o'clock)
G = 1 sharp; F# (1 o'clock)
D = 2 sharps; F#, C# (2 o'clock)
A = 3 sharps; F#, C#, G# (3 o'clock)
E = 4 sharps; F#, C#, G#, D# (4 o'clock)
B  = 5 sharps; F#, C#, G#, D#, A# (5 o'clock)
F#= 6 sharps; F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#

C# = 7 sharps / all sharps; F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#, B# (12 o'clock)
G = 1 double sharp; F## (1 o'clock)
D = 2 double sharps; F##, C## (2 o'clock)
A = 3 double sharps; F##, C##, G## (3 o'clock)
etc.

Flats Circle

C = 0 flats (12 o'clock)
F = 1 flat; Bb (11 o'clock)
Bb = 2 flats; Bb, Eb (10 o'clock)
Eb = 3 flats; Bb, Eb, Ab (9 o'clock)
Ab = 4 flats; Bb, Eb, Ab, Db (8 o'clock)
Db = 5 flats; Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb (7 o'clock)
Gb = 6 flats; Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb (6 o'clock)

C = 7 flats / all flats; (12 o'clock)
F = 1 double flat; Bbb (11 o'clock)
Bb = 2 double flats; Bbb, Ebb (10 o'clock)
Eb = 3 double flats; Bbb, Ebb, Abb (9 o'clock)

You see that?  Theory stuff can go on into infinity, but to make things easier, we try to keep it as simple as possible.  Can you imagine trying to read music containing a bunch of double sharps and flats?

Like I said, this is just another way of explaining this concept.  If anyone else wants to add in some stuff here, feel free to do so.  I'm making this a sticky so the information will always be visible.

Question?  ?/?How would you apply circle of 5th to a chord progression, let's Ab or Eb still having problems incorporating the movements

[T-Block]

Question?  ?/?How would you apply circle of 5th to a chord progression, let's Ab or Eb still having problems incorporating the movements

Here's one:

Progression using Circle of 4ths

Circle 1:

A / G-C-E           
D / F#-C-E   or   D / F#-B-D#       
G / F-Bb-D           
C / E-Bb-D   or   C / E-A-C#
F / Eb-Ab-C
Bb / D-Ab-C   or   Bb / D-G-B
Eb / Db-Gb-Bb
Ab / C-Gb-Bb   or   Ab / C-F-A 
Db / Cb-E-Ab
Gb / Bb-E-Ab   or   Gb / Bb-Eb-G
B / A-D-F#
E / G#-D-F#   or   E / G#-C#-E#
(and you right back where you started)


Circle 2:

D / C-F-A
G / B-F-A   or   G / B-E-G#
C / Bb-Eb-G
F / A-Eb-G   or   F / A-D-F#
Bb / Ab-Db-F
Eb / G-Db-F   or   Eb / G-C-E
Ab / Gb-B-Db
Db / F-B-Db   or   Db / F-Bb-D
Gb / Fb-A-Db
Cb / Eb-A-Db   or   Cb / Eb-Ab-C
E / D-G-B
A / C#-G-B   or   A / C#-F#-A#
(and you right back where you started)

Now, look at these 2 circles of 4ths.  They look similar, they use all the same notes, but each will sound different because they start different.  The first circle starts with A going to D, but the second circle starts with D going to G.  Can you see the difference?  It's hard to see at first, but you'll get it.

[clefnote]

Here's one:

Progression using Circle of 4ths

Circle 1:

A / G-C-E           
D / F#-C-E   or   D / F#-B-D#       
G / F-Bb-D           
C / E-Bb-D   or   C / E-A-C#
F / Eb-Ab-C
Bb / D-Ab-C   or   Bb / D-G-B
Eb / Db-Gb-Bb
Ab / C-Gb-Bb   or   Ab / C-F-A 
Db / Cb-E-Ab
Gb / Bb-E-Ab   or   Gb / Bb-Eb-G
B / A-D-F#
E / G#-D-F#   or   E / G#-C#-E#
(and you right back where you started)


Circle 2:

D / C-F-A
G / B-F-A   or   G / B-E-G#
C / Bb-Eb-G
F / A-Eb-G   or   F / A-D-F#
Bb / Ab-Db-F
Eb / G-Db-F   or   Eb / G-C-E
Ab / Gb-B-Db
Db / F-B-Db   or   Db / F-Bb-D
Gb / Fb-A-Db
Cb / Eb-A-Db   or   Cb / Eb-Ab-C
E / D-G-B
A / C#-G-B   or   A / C#-F#-A#
(and you right back where you started)

Now, look at these 2 circles of 4ths.  They look similar, they use all the same notes, but each will sound different because they start different.  The first circle starts with A going to D, but the second circle starts with D going to G.  Can you see the difference?  It's hard to see at first, but you'll get it.

THANKS, T-BLOCK I'M GONNA TRY IT SOON AS I GET OFF WORK! I'LL POST YA BACK & LET YA KNOW HOW  IT TURNS OUT. 

[chevonee]

If you need further visual aide....like me Try this link...it just might make it EVEN MO clearer. If you put this with what Mr Tea and T-block have so gracefully and patiently explained then BY GEORGE YOU'LL HAVE IT!!!
If you don't, just do like me...keep reading it over and over and FOR GOODNESS SAKES...ASK QUESTIONS....!!! LGM is here to help us younguns out....LOL

http://www.hearandplay.com/wpz213x9pky.html

[swishmasta]

Here's one:

Progression using Circle of 4ths

Circle 1:

A / G-C-E           
D / F#-C-E   or   D / F#-B-D#       
G / F-Bb-D           
C / E-Bb-D   or   C / E-A-C#
F / Eb-Ab-C
Bb / D-Ab-C   or   Bb / D-G-B
Eb / Db-Gb-Bb
Ab / C-Gb-Bb   or   Ab / C-F-A 
Db / Cb-E-Ab
Gb / Bb-E-Ab   or   Gb / Bb-Eb-G
B / A-D-F#
E / G#-D-F#   or   E / G#-C#-E#
(and you right back where you started)


Circle 2:

D / C-F-A
G / B-F-A   or   G / B-E-G#
C / Bb-Eb-G
F / A-Eb-G   or   F / A-D-F#
Bb / Ab-Db-F
Eb / G-Db-F   or   Eb / G-C-E
Ab / Gb-B-Db
Db / F-B-Db   or   Db / F-Bb-D
Gb / Fb-A-Db
Cb / Eb-A-Db   or   Cb / Eb-Ab-C
E / D-G-B
A / C#-G-B   or   A / C#-F#-A#
(and you right back where you started)

Now, look at these 2 circles of 4ths.  They look similar, they use all the same notes, but each will sound different because they start different.  The first circle starts with A going to D, but the second circle starts with D going to G.  Can you see the difference?  It's hard to see at first, but you'll get it.

thanks for the chords, that was super helpful. I will pratice these till I can do them like its nothing.

[musallio]

eXCELLENT!!
eXCELLENT!!

Thanx guys.

[swishmasta]

D / F#-C-E

3rd b7 9th

is this a D7add9 chord? whats the right name for it?

thanks.