Circle of 5th's Question?

[dwest2419]

I was able to test out the circle of 5th's (understand it a little though!) I can cleary see now, how the modulation or transition is so smoothly, when using the circle of 5th's.

I started out playing a 1-4-5 chord progression in the key of C, and I changed the key signature in the middle of the song, and I went to G, D, A, E, and B (same chord progression) but, from there it started to sound flattened like it was going down or something.

But, the whole time the transition/music was so smoothly, I couldn't even tell if I went up or not or did anything else to change/effect of the music. Then I tried the orginal approach, by playing the progression in the key of C then moving it up an 1/2 a step up each time, and it sounded so harsh! So badly transition, it was horrible!

Why does using the circle 5th's sound so great? What is the difference between the circle of 5th's way and the orginal approach?

[T-Block]

It's all in how u modulate from key to key.

[bopeuph]

Why does using the circle 5th's sound so great? What is the difference between the circle of 5th's way and the orginal approach?

One word: familiarity.  It's not that it always sounds great, but that it sounds good to anyone in the western musical tradition.  It's what's been laid down since the time of the renaissance, so it's so ingrained in our ears, that even one untrained in music at all still finds this V-I relationship familiar. 

It's just like in jazz.  You NEVER use a natural fourth on any form of major triad.  You use the #11.  Just don't attempt this in mainstream pop sounds (rock, country, etc.).  It will not go over well with the rest of the band.

Nick