What is the Circle of 4ths and 5ths all about?
On a certain day, I bought some and groundnuts then decided to use it to play a bit. I used the 12 nuts (seeds) to create a clock, then finally looked at it and said “it looks like the Circle of 4ths & 5ths” (sure it does).
The Circle of 5ths (or Circle of 4ths, depending on the direction) is a circular diagram that shows the relationships between the 12 keys in music. It’s a powerful tool for understanding key signatures, chord progressions, and modulation (changing keys).
The Circle of 4ths & 5ths
Circle of 5ths (Clockwise Direction)
Each step clockwise on the circle moves up a perfect 5th.
Example:
- C → G → D → A → E → B → F♯ → D♭ → A♭ → E♭ → B♭ → F → C
Note that: C to G is a perfect 5th interval, G to D is a 5th as well etc.
Use this to:
- Understand how sharps are added to key signatures
- Practice dominant-tonic movement (i.e the 5 chord to the 1 chord)
Circle of 4ths (Counterclockwise Direction)
Each step counterclockwise moves up a perfect 4th.
Example:
- C → F → B♭ → E♭ → A♭ → D♭ → G♭ → B → E → A → D → G → C
Note that: C to F is a perfect 4th interval, F to Bb is a 4th as well etc.
Use this to:
- Build popular chord progression such as 2-5-1 and 2-5-1-4 progressions
- Practice key modulation gospel
- Organize practice routines by smooth key transitions
Why It Matters for Piano Players
- Chords and Scales: Learn all your chords and scales in circle order to develop fluid key knowledge.
- Ear Training: The circle helps you predict how music moves, improving your ability to play by ear.
✅ Practice Tip
Pick a chord progression (like 2–5–1) and play it through all 12 keys around the Circle of 4ths. This builds muscle memory and strengthens your understanding of harmony.
Attention: In the next series of lessons, we will utilize the circle of 4ths to practice a lot of concepts studied so far.