For those interested in learning about where the 7 diatonic chords come from, I talk about it here: Understanding Diatonic Chord Progressions - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-J33KoO9EFSM.html I didn't mention the dim 7 chord in this video because it doesn't fall into the grouping of 6.
Brian Kelly thank you so much between the circle of fifths video and this one I have not stopped playing or creating since I've watched them it's nice to know exactly what I'm playing for once instead of just hearing it. Truly fantastic videos.
The grouping of seven is simply counting off seven steps from the preceding key (F in the case of the key of C) - the first three are the major chords in that key, the next three are the minors, and the seventh is the diminished (eg, F C G Dm Am Em B°). No need for an inner circle of minors.
Ok, you left out the vii° chord on purpose, but also the V and V7 chords in minor... and I would have liked to see you take it all the way to C# and Cb to show how it includes ALL keys. But good overall... some real high spots. I dig how you're trying to make it easier to learn for the new guys.
@@williamhogge5549 yes exactly. I have many other videos where I go into harmonic minor and all that great stuff. For this video, a simple "3 major and 3 minot chords in each key" does the trick for a lot of people :).
I almost didn’t watch this, I thought it would be just another "Circle of Fifths" video. But this is probably the most informative video on this subject I’ve ever watched! Keep doing what you do, was great, thanks.
Same. There's an oversaturation of (video) lessons explaining the same mundane applications that the 'circle of 5th's' wheel offers. The content covered here is less promulgated, but more handy in emphasizing the overall inherent functionality the Co5 contains.
@@michaelsmusic3532 and his website even has a "HOW TO BEST USE THIS WEBSITE" video.....a basic than many many RU-vid instructors omit. Great stuff BRIAN!
I Thought Don't Spit into the Wind was Pretty Good Advise... However do it once and ya Never Need That Advise right on... less ya like spit on yo face... Then ya do it anyway.
I have been an academic teacher for 20 years.. guitar player for 30 years.. I want to sincerely compliment you for this valuable info. You are an incredible teacher my friend. You make the info so clear and meaningful! I learned guitar mostly by ear and I am trying to expand by learning theory, particularly the circle of fifths. Thanks man.. I followed you a while back, just wanted to say thanks again!
Your reason for getting a tattoo of the Circle of Fiths on your arm is the most down-to-earth, badass, epic act of self belief I've seen... of all possible reasons to get a tattoo - you got it for yourself.
Love seeing people tech the circle of 5ths on guitar instead of piano! I like how you broke down the circle of fifths into 7 different facts to kind of break it up for better understanding. Nice job!
I was tortured as a kid to memorize this and never new what the real reason was.. I’m 59 now and you have made this click in my head for the first time... you’re a brilliant teacher.. congrats my friend.. thank you.. Steven jewett Song writer And Guitarist
OMG I’m a classically trained flutist and pianist. I practice all my scales everyday and thought I knew the circle of fifths. My flute teacher had me memorize “Friends Can Go Down And Eat Breakfast” (#s) and BEAD Good Clean Fun (b’s) but never took it any further. This video is 21 minutes of enlightenment that makes my guitar so much more fun! Thank you! I signed up for your course this morning. Bravo
Your explanation was the best I heard on the internet and read in books. Thanks so much for demystifying music theory. Now I can really start improvising
I just started learning about the circle of fifths and every new thing I learn about it blows my mind. My mind was blown several times in this video, thank you!
boom bonus fact: as a former trombone player I played in the flat keys more than sharp keys so i learned the circle of fourths... which is just the circle of fifths backwards which is also kind of cool
Thank you so much for this video! I've lost count of how many Circle of Fifths videos I've watched. This is the first one that really made sense to me. I think your guitar background gives you a really solid understanding of chord structure and chord progression that comes across so clearly in the video, without having to over-complicate it. And at the same time, you can communicate to those of us that aren't guitarists or on the same level of music theory as you. I'm from the button-pushing side of music (piano, saxophone, clarinet, horn) and you've given me a whole new level of understanding and appreciation. Thank you again!
You explained in a way that I can understand. I like the happy and sad version. So true. All my life I have never understood the Circle of Fifths. I understand it better now. You are very intelligent in music. Thanks!
Love the way you explain things in such a straightforward and easy to follow way in a really warm and relaxed style that holds the attention! Usually theory is hard to follow and I tend to forget it right away! You hold my interest and put things in a way that's easy to retain. Great teaching. Keep it up!
Thank you so much Brian. I have watched quite a few of your videos and they are ALWAYS brilliant. No bullshit, showing off and talking about yourself, you just get right into the detail and teach people what they need to learn. You are the best teacher on youtube - period. Keep up the good work man! I’ve learnt so much from you. Thank you.
By far the most informative and easy to understand lesson I've ever seen on this subject. I feel totally reenergized with regards to improving my general understanding of music theory, cheers dude.
Your outstanding explanation of the circle of fifths has demystified the musical mysteries that go along with it. I’ve got answers to many questions that I was asking myself about harmony and chords progression since years. Thank you for your generosity to help music learners like me. May God bless you to be an ever better musician.
Been playing for double your age and never learned this because I would get lost in the explanation. Not the case here. Finally someone who thinks outside the box. Great job. Thank you Brian
Thank you! You made this much easier to understand. I appreciate you taking the time to explain calmly and slow enough so one can wrap their mind around it. A lot of people seem to talk AT you and not TO you. Thanks again, very helpful!
Brilliant, i wish they made this sound as concise as this at music college. It was just over 20 years ago now. Thanks Brian, i don't need to transpose in my head anymore 😊
Another thing I made up to help me memorize 3rds is ACEGBDFA. It helped because I can easily remember what notes are in a chord because if they are spelled correctly they will always consist of those three note Triads. This also helps me easily access the notes that are 5th, 7th,9th, 11th, or 13th away. You just need to remember to add the correct accidentals which come from knowing your key signatures.
@@rykrodflo I'm getting a COF tattoo as soon as I figgure out where Bcuz I'm already sleeved out. I see quite a number of people wanting to get the circle inked on 'em. We should all form a Zombie cult !
I've had mine for about 4 years and designed it rather than for my own information. All of the letters are inverted so that my student can read my arm easily. I went through the music theory program at my local College and they ingrained this information into my brain.
This is the best presentation of the "Circle of Fifths" on RU-vid -- very well organized with visuals to make the explanations palpable. An excellent video! Educational time well spent!
This is the piece of the music knowledge puzzle I've been searching for!!! Now I can finally jam all day long, following these facts have opened up a whole new aspect of playing guitar for me. Thank you!!
Thank you so much for the best explanation of the Circle of Fifths. This is such a simple, interesting and informative explanation! I have been trying to understand the circle of fifths forever so I will be looking at this video repeatedly.
Once we know that "diatonic" means, notes/chords that come from the same scale and once we know that "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7," is shortcut for (ordinal) numbers, the numbers in the order of the notes/chords in that scale, (ie, 1st note/chord, 2nd, 3rd, etc...), this vid makes great sense! It also helps to know that, from happy/bright, to sad/subdued and all the shades in between, the reason scales which are made of exactly the same notes/chords yet, sound different is that the oder of the notes/chords in these scales start/end on a different "home," or 1st note/chord.
Here I was stoked I'd finally tackled memorizing the circle so I'd know my sharps and flats better; little did I know it was packed with so much more useful information! Very insightful vid!
Brilliant. I learned the hard way memorizing this stuff. Meanwhile on my music stand right in front of my face everyday I have the circle of fifths taped to it. I never realized it's all right there. Great video.
Your explanation of the circle of fifths is right off the charts. I vaguely knew about the circle of fifths but didn't know how to use it to write songs or to hear a song and play it by ear. I'm not even a guitarist, but this is gold to me.
Brian, I’ve been looking at the Circle of Fifths, and looking at videos explaining it for years. I’ve never truly understood how to put it to work for me. That is until I discovered your videos! Bloody fantastic! You have another very happy and empowered subscriber! Thanks!🙏
I have never realized that there is actually a systematic way to approach the song writing side. I thought that whether you were born with it or you were born without it. Anyway, I wrote couple of songs (for each of my 3 grand daughters; Rania, Nazira, Elsa), without realizing it. Actually I have implemented that Circle Fifth. Thanks Brian for this very good lesson. Cheers from Indonesia.
Always suspected there was a logic in there somewhere with 3rds, 5ths, 4ths, relative minors, etc. that I sort of knew about. Your video has opened up this world to me now and it is all starting to make sense. Wish I'd seen this years ago when I was starting to play.....piano. Brilliant instructional video. Thanks!!
The circle of fifths has been an absolute mystery to me since I had heard of it, researched it and tried to understand it. While I'm still waiting for 'the penny to drop' so to speak, your explanation is the only one that provided genuine clarity and insight. I cannot thank you enough. I'm glad that you took the time to make this video.
You made some things clear to me that were very unclear for years. I’ve been watching a ton of your videos. You are a gifted teacher. Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge.
Best explanation ever! I have had every music theory music teacher try to explain this circle I purchased a year ago no go ! Thanks it's a go got it so easy why do so many teacher's complicate simplicity? And yes that's myself on a bike I hand built out of 4x8 sheetmetal and tubeing and designed and rode from NH to FL with not an issue in 2005 . You seem to be a pro music teacher!!! Myself a metallurgy Craftsman Saxophonist Pro Drummer for band Adament couldn't hold sticks anymore due to broke neck ! Now just Sax player broke 3 vertebrae and had replaced with metal ones Terminator style for real 10 yrs and on going pain so your teaching has Given me hope to write and play my Bari Sax more freely ?! Thanks Fellow Music Man!!! >Anyone out there "STOP" LISTEN TO WHAT CIRCLE of '5TH's' Music Man, has to teach you his teaching will make you a better musician !!! Thanks again Scott.P
S PC haha that's awesome Scott! I'm glad to hear that the vid was able to help ya out! And you inspired me too...i would love to do a cross country trip on a bike one day.
Best explanation ever. I sorta had a small idea, but your explanation made it click. At least in theory...I'm a hopeless guitar player, but this lesson was great.
One thing I would mention, is when you understand the circle of 5ths it will help you to figure out songs, and what chords they are using, and how they are moving from where to where and why.
Thanks Brian . You are like the root note of guitar information . i used to start with your information as a restarted beginner but even now a couple of years later I always seem to find myself resolving back to your totally harmonised and succinct information .For theory or practical you are the man
thank you so much for excellent explanation of circle of 5ths. Don't play guitar, but is quite helpful with piano. Is hard to imagine this was created by Pathagoras hundreds of years ago.
KEYS are just PITCH. Most of the guitar strings are tune to perfect 4th ascending or perfect 5th descending...Visually it's easy to shift keys on the fly on the fret boards..without rack your brain in Alphabets # or b. It's easier to remember INTERVALS There's 4 other none cluster notes diatonic Parallel scales...The in between Intervals aside from going directly from MAJOR to Minor... The Trick is to learn to PUSH UP or DOWN...From the C MAJOR to C minor AND from A minor to A MAJOR....Modulating to left or right. The possiblities are LIMITLESS...you Dont have to put it all in one song. If you KNOW this....It's actaully esaier to write songs or get creative. The limitations only comes in as play a support roll to the VOCAL range or ability to you vocal or singer. The guitar is more versital...use a CAPO..up tune ..down tune,,ect KEYS are just PITCH. SCREW the capo...that's like playing a half a fretboard or owning 1/2 guitar.lmao You;ll simply have more common chords that will overlap or cross which will simply give you options to push or pull in any directions You can actually play chords from all 12 degree it would all actually harmonize Open chords from CLUSTER NOTES...arnt not cluster...if you play them in different octives...such as 1, 3,b7, #9 ( #9 = b3). They dont clash. Such as playing the maj7 and the octive. If the tension isnt to your liking,,,,simply add note or remove to create less tension, In other words,...COLOR it to ANYTHING YOU LIKE. You can master these scales (35 Modes) Fully extend chords are the samething as Modes...Push and Pull from the MAJOR and MINOR. i did...Im just a person. Your mind will grasp it and retain it. It wont happen over night,,,but if you practice playing them and study them it's do able in a 6 months - 1 year. It just depends if you want to go' through and learn all the possible from One mode degree. The more you learn them..the easier it gets as you go. It's like Phasing from Major to minor...visa versa They had to call/term them somethings...but these 35 mode gives you every possible diatonic intervals within the 12 notes. Dont get hung up on the terms. Learn the intervals. From A minor. G# ....................Harmonic Minor Then F#, G#..... ..Melodic Minor Then D#, F#, G#.. Lydian b3 Then Eb , G#........Harmonic minor b5 if you play C#, F#, G#...it'll simply be A MAJOR Lydian b3 = IV mode of Harmonic MAJOR = Ionian b6 Harmonic minor b5 = Hangerian MAJOR = Ion, #2, #4, b7 or you can remember it like this from the IONIAN MODE PUSH UP #5 #4, #5 #2, #4, #5 b3, #5 PUSH DOWN b6 b3 b3, b6 b3, b5, b6 b3, b6, b7 The other three diatonic (egmatic/cluster notes) MORE OPTIONs....and sounds You can modulated beyound circling up to the 5th or cycling down to the 4th You can go from A min to G min....or A minor to B min (N6) Harmonic minor b2 or melodic minor b2 Double harmonic minor = Harmonic minor #4 Within these parallel scales...there's dim , full diminished or aug. USED THEM they help you shift from KEY to KEY or scales to scales.
Keys are just PITCH....The C Major scale has the SAME INTERVALS are the E MAJOR or Gb Major..ect if you can play in C MAJOR/Aminor you can easily play in whatever the heck KEY/PITCH....simple because you can use the fret board like a SLIDE RULER..Slide everything UP TWO frets...whalla D MAJOR side everything down one fret...whalla B MAJOR or you can use a CAPO....playing different keys...simply means you In standard tuning the gutar is tuned a PERFECT 4th or inverted 5th example....The A string as the ROOT G..................................R......... D........................4........5........... A.......................R......... E.............4.........5 From G to B is a Maj 3rd INTERVAL everything is still the same it just shifted UP one fret. It's tuned like that so you can play barr chords easier. E...................6........7..R......... B..................3........... G..................R............ D..................5.............. since keys are just PITCH...you'll get bored out of your damn mind playing the Same old shit in different PITCH. Theres 9 PARALLEL SCALES...7 notes each = 7 modes each. They had to call them something. They all have different INTERVALS..MORE OPTIONS..MORE SOUNDS The Major SCALE is used as the REFERENCE interval basic chords are JUST EVERY OTHER NOTE...no matter the scale you get what you get....it's actually SIMPLE Im listing it PUSHING DOWN from MAJOR to it's parallel minor FRom C MAJOR to C minor Just shift ONE NOTE at a time. In you can do it in C MAJOR/Amin YOU can do it in any key...You basically just going to MIX match. Basically play or write anything you wish or want you. More scales/mode ect....simply will allow you to BLEND or or MIX different sounds. More chords or modes will intersect. It's actaully easier to write or play music if you knows parallel scale..You difinitely won't get stuck in a rut. More sounds to play with. b6 = HARMONIC MAJOR b3 = melodic Minor b3, b6 = Harmonic minor b2, b3 = melodic minor b2 ( N6) b2. b3, b6 = Harmonic minor b2 (N6) b3, b5 = melodic min b5 ... I made that one up....might as will b3, b5, b6 = harmonic minor b5 = III mode of HUNGERIAN MAJOR b3 #4 = Lydian b3 = IV mode of Harmonic MAJOR b3, #4, b6 = Hungarian minor b3, b6, b7 = NATURAL MINOR The lydian b3 is an overlap...that's why I said 9 scales.... You can reverse the process.... PUSH UP from relative minor to MAJOR This way you can push UP or DOWN b3, b6, b7 b3, b6 b3 b2, b3 b2, b3, b6 ect...... You'll get used to it....Dont freak out There's not HUNDREDS or thousands...Just 9 scales with 7 modes each = 63. or like this 1.........2.......3..4.........5........6........7..8 The five notes that's in between....b2, b3, b5, b6, b7 b3, b6, b7........b2 or b5 Notice how I listed them....it's so you can keep track easier. Im not fucking with your head..Im giving you the INTERVALS or Music theory HACKed.lol
Yes....These parallel scale helps make keys shifting smoother or more optional.... I'll explain in in D Minor.....so you might see it better. It's in the center of the fretboard..Just pretend the CAPO is at the 5th fret. Im basically going to use the Natural minor as my REFERENCE Lets' say I play D Harmonic minor b2... You can play the Eb note a MAJOR or maj7 The G min is the IV chord or Dorian. The Eb maj7 will be as if it's Eb Lydian I can also alter back and forth be the C Mix or C dorian.. The only different between Mix and Dor is maj3 or b3 i can also Modulate to C minor as the tonic The Eb Maj7 will as if it's Ionian The G minor will simply be the V of C Minor I can still play the D minor as the II of C melodic minor or G7 into C minor......C harmonic minor or melodic minor I can also play G7, A7 into D min...( D melodic minor) I can also play the D lydian b3, Mix b2 Which is A HARMONIC MINOR.. The A Mix b6 is the V mode of D melodic minor. The A Harmonic MAjor is just Mix b6 with a LEADING TONE Or I can Play A min, chord..it's Phrygian while in D minor If I play A min, D, min, EMAJ or E7...Fmaj7.. Most peaple would recognize that sound..Typical A Hamornic minor.. But I started in D minor... These other scales also have FULL DIMISNISHED or AUG.. They're SYMETRICAL.... Just keep it simple....you'll get use to it... b3, b6. b7 are bascailly the SECOND ARPEGGIO of the I, IV, V chords... Just practice switching those three chords back and forth between MAJOR or minor... example A min......D min.....E min A min......D min.....E7 A min D7..........E7 then alter the II chord ( B dim..to B min to B7 to B maj7) So you can play B7 into E minor...while in A minor or from A minor That's what the #4 is...it's the second arpgeggio of the B chord. The #4 is also a leading tone into the V ( E minor) A lydian b3....B mix b2....E Harmonic MAJOR Mix b2, b6 is just the phrygian dominanant...V of Harmonic minor. You can also play dim chords into MAJOR or Minor A harmonic MAJOR and minors...both have possible full diminised as the VII, II, IV, vi G#...B.....D.....F. You can also use it to shift to other Keys.. B into C D into Eb F into F# G# into A The melodic minor will help you make is movement...( whole step dim) example....F# dim , G# dim into A... You could had easily played F# into G...as will...instead of playing the G# The melodic minor is just DORIAN with a LEADING TONE In other words...while A minor....play A min...B dim...C# INTO D MELODIC MINOR The E minor will simply be the II chord ( E dorian b2) In other words if you wanted to modulate from A minor TONIC to D minor TONIC. You basically cycle down to the 4th or F MAJOR You could also could had easily played C Aug into F Minor... ( F minor as the new TONIC) As is said Augemented chords are also SYMMETRICAL A harmonic minor....C....E.....G# The E will simply acts as a LEADING TONE into F minor The F lydian #2 is also a possible MAJ , min or DIM chord C phrygian dominant???? into F harmonic minor 1., 3, b6....it;s still all MAJ rd intervals. Youll get used to the SOUNDS and these different movements.. Dont freak out. Just hit me up anytime you want...I explain it to as simplest way
Me too ... and I've seen a few other comments of others doing the same Let's all get circle of fifth tattoos and form a Zombie cut !!! ~ Michael #1 Zombie
This is the video that i wanted. I use it for key changes in my trance sets but this is what i wanted for guitar playing. Now i just need to learn more chords and i now know how to write 1541 chord progressions! Its so friggin simple. And the barrowing chords i liked and can find usefull thanks bro much apprieciated. Im now a pro at reading it hahaha still need to memorize it but i will let my mucsle memory do that Ps who thumbed down?? Whats wrong with you this is an awsome explaination of the circle of 5ths. Ive hardly used it and never knew it was so easy to understand I actually got a free music theory lesson out of this which i could use for adding tension notes to my trance leads. Im a scale player dont do chords excelent lesson so i thumbed up 👍
If you want to know what notes are in a key. Look at the Key note and move anti-clockwise (counter clockwise) one note and, including that note, count all seven going clockwise from that note? So from C move back 1 to F and all 7 from F inclusive are in the key of C. Viola!
Every single key is represented by all the notes A,B,C,D,E,F,G anytime, anywhere, but with their relative sharps and flats of course. Now, the circle of 5ths doesn’t tell you which one are flats or sharps in a particular key if you just go counterclockwise. So, what exactly are you trying to say?
Tip to remember the order of the sharps as they appear : Father Charles Goes Down and Ends Battle (F C G D A E B) Flats : Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles Father (B E A D G C F)
Thank you, this was helpful! I didn't realize it was so easy to see the 2, 3, 6, and 7 diatonic scales of a key, and the minor/major 3rd rules are handy too.
Thanks, Brian. Your tutorial has really simplified this concept theoretically. Just need to go practise what you have taught. I heard some musicians using the term "The Circle of 4ths". Is that another name given to the Circle of 5ths or is this a totally different musical system?
Okay. Was wondering. Thank you for your speedy response. Continue to empower others selflessly with your knowledge & make the Godgiven gift of music easier to understand. This world could do with a lot of altruism & cheer now. Music is definitely a medium. Have a Good day!
