Circle of Fifths Explained (For Guitar) - How to actually USE the Circle of 5ths guitar lesson 

Over FIVE decades I've asked formally educated musicians how to use a circle of fifths and nobody could explain it. Then I stumble onto a YT video that explains it all in-depth in 5 minutes!

You guys have no idea how many of these kinds of videos I've seen and there's literally NO ONE who made it this clear and concise.

This is true genius. So many people make these concepts sound so complicated, but you have simplified it. Well done!

I’m old I learned by ear and listening to vinyl records. No lessons. We were poor. I just learned stuff but never knew why or how or what it was. Now I want to know what I’ve been doing by ear all these years. This and other RU-vid videos like this has been a huge help. Young musicians today, have a huge advantage over old dinosaurs like me. I wish the internet existed when I started. One thing RU-vid videos can’t teach you is hard luck, and bad times, struggle and fight. That can only come from life. So I hope the young musicians with these amazing resources, don’t lose that piece of humanity and expression in music along the way. That’s my only fear, is they become academics of music, instead of… Musicians. If that makes sense. Thank you for explaining this. This will certainly speed up the process for me. Instead of hunting and pecking for what sounds right, I can get to it quicker. Saving valuable time.

In 3 minutes the man’s just bypassed an entire semester of music theory. Thank you.

Thank you, Brian. More lightbulbs per minute per video than anyone else on the internet!

I’ve been playing for 30+ years and this is the first time this had made sense to me. Thank you more than you know.

26 years of playing guitar, I've written more than 40 songs, and thanks to this video I've written a song where all the chords relate to each other on purpose.

The best explanation of the circle of fifths I've ever heard along with how to practically use it. Thanks!

Thousands of musicians know the theory, but very few seem to be able to communicate it clearly and effectively. Brian does it so well in such a relaxed and clear manner that I'll just go ahead and declare him to be the most talented of guitar theory 'teachers' on RU-vid. . . . . . Period.

It’s like finding the code to the secret language of guitar song composition! No one’s ever explained it so simply and efficiently. Thank You!

10 years of lessons from a Berklee/LA Music Grad and NEVER has this been so clear. Thank you!

I'm still watching (4 minutes in), but I'm blown away. The amount of compassion and understanding you have towards self-taught musicians is great. Most other courses are just "oh whatever, read this 500 pages book and you'll know your stuff by the end of it and if not, download my super cryptic cheat sheet".

I have been playing guitar since dinosaurs roamed the earth and that was hands down the best explanation of the circle of fifths that I have ever heard. Well done!

I've been casually playing for 20 years. For the last couple of years, I have been pushing myself to master the instrument. I've even been taking theory from a person with a master's in guitar theory. Ever so often I have these light bulb moments and they are very encouraging. I had a few during this this video. I especially liked the part that explained locating the dominant chord. I will definitely be joining a premium membership. Thank you! -Chris

After 50 years of playing I finally understand it! It’s what you learn, intuitively, after playing for 50 years, written out. Great job

In the 80’s, I spent two years as a music major and never got this. Brilliant. (I was too busy smoking pot and jamming to a jazz station. At 70, through the grace of God. I have a good ear and a thirst for “useful” theory. Again, through the grace of God, I got sober in 1986 ;-)

Suddenly someone comes along who explains something perfectly. SIr, I thank you

This is without a doubt the best lesson on Circle of Fifths! I had years without understanding and this man helped me understand it in a matter of minutes! Thank you so much!

One of the things I've just sort of discovered on guitar by myself here really (I haven't seen this on any other RU-vid videos anyway) is that if you start with your first finger on the bass string on F then move two frets up and then one string down and place your third finger there then you will of course be on the 5th of F (C on the 5th string) you can now simply move up you first finger two frets to the G and then simply repeat this diagonal pattern all the way up the neck then you get the entire circle of 5ths. It's a great way to remember the order of the notes on the circle and easy to visualise on the neck. My own lightbulb moment right there - F, C, G, D, A, E, B, F#, Db etc

Brian you are producing videos at a really rapid clip, without sacrificing quality. I really admire what you’re doing.

This is critical to me, as I play both fretted and non-fretted instruments. I got rusty in my understanding and this video helped. Thank you for explaining this in laymen's terms!❤❤❤

I knew everything that he was saying about the circle at the beginning but the last bit about the secondary dominant chord really changed the game for me. I always wanted to know how people knew which 7 chords work well with chords in the circle. I thought it was probably just some jazz thing that I will never figure out but this changes things! Thanks so much :)

I’ve been playing guitar for 45 years and I learned more in this short video than in my whole life! Thank you so much dude! I’m going on a World Wide tour shortly!

I FINALLY learned the Circle of Fifths more thoroughly than ever before. Even from my original guitar teacher - who happened to be a studio musician in LA during the 1980’s.

Thank you thank you thank you…it’s about time someone spoke to me in English about the circle

Best Circle of 5ths demonstration thus far. Conveyed well and easy to store in long term memory.

I was in band for 5 years and never understood the circle of fifths, and in a 15 minute video I figured it out. What an amazing teacher.

Finally someone that’s makes it really clear👏🏽

You are without parallel. The absolute best teacher on RU-vid. You explain things absolutely clearly and in a way that's easy to understand. You're also concise and completely without waffle. Many thanks.

Bro, I just learned more in this video than I’ve learned in my 2 semesters of college talking about the Circle of Fifths. These professors explain shit in a way that only SMART people understand. I’m not the brightest person out there. You made this so easy to understand how to use it for chords.

After years of trying to get my head around this... 15 minutes, and it's crystal clear... thanks!!!

I can't believe how straight forward this explanation is. I've been scouring YT for years trying to find this one. Most theory people get very academic about this topic, like they're proving a geometry theorem...why couldn't they just say _this_ right here? Thank you!

I’ve looked at numerous videos and read explanations of the circle of fifths and none made sense. This immediately turned on the light bulb! Thanks for a brilliant explanation!

Am not a musician but went in to medicine instead. To "self-teach" oneself is pretty difficult but more so confusing. This explained a lot to me. One of my favorite songs is "halleleuhay"; I now understand the words....."the minor fall and the major lift". Sure it's elementary to experienced musicians but to those who rely on "self-teaching", it was illuminating. Thanks so much for your post.

I've waited 20 years for someone to explain this to me. Thank you so much sir. You have one more subscriber.

I am profoundly grateful to you for all that you so selflessly share. Unlike so many 'click-bait' videos. I can now intuitively sense these clips and immediately delete them. Now that you so brilliantly explained the circle of fifths, I am going to put up a 'blown up' version on my wall.

The circle of fifths has always been something that confused the hell out of me, even after exhaustive research over the years. Today I found clarity. Thank you, Sir.

I've been playing off and on for 30 yrs and this is the best explanation I've heard. Thank you!

God bless this man. Self taught guitar hack writing this and this man explained the whole concept AND how to “resolve” chords as well the relative minor better than anybody I have spoken with in 40 years. Checking out his channel now…

This explains the composition of almost every Beatles or Oasis song I’ve ever heard. Thank you!

Leslie West was playing in Mountain with bassist, arranger Felix Pappalardi when Felix asked Leslie to do a solo for a song in the key of A. So Leslie started some bluesy lines, pentatonic scale as per usual. Felix interrupted and said, “No, no man- solo in F#m, the relative minor (for the Key of A). Leslie did so and it sounded really good. That night Leslie went home and wrote out all the relative minors for each key. He told this a few years back. Theory goes a long way if someone lets us in on, the practical purpose. And Brian does exactly that.

wow...i have seen circle of fifths but couldn't grasp what it could be used for. you have made sense of it all. very clear practical teaching. thanks

Thank you. After many years i finally understand 🙏

WOW, Brian! This is the first time I heard you say "Circle of 5ths"! Great introductory explanation, you made it crystal clear in just under 15 minutes! Love the charts, the homework and all the extra stuff! What a fantabulous teacher you are! 💖

42 years playing guitar, first I’ve ever heard it explained this way. Nice job.

Wow. You just taught me so much! 30 years of playing, and I had no idea about any of this. So useful. I'm grateful 🙏

I've been playing guitar on and off (mostly off, unfortunately) for 45 years. Last year I bought my dream guitar and I want to get playing again, consistently. This video gives me hope. Thank you ActiveMelody!!

I've downloaded the circle. One instructor speaks about moving right 5 steps, another speaks about the circle of 4ths to the left. Your video makes more sense to me than the others. I enjoy the style of your teaching. Best $89.00 investment on guitar education to date. Good job sir.

I have seen dozens of videos on the Circle and just left confused. This video shows how complex theory can be very simple when explained properly. Thanks for the video. It now makes so much sense! 🤘

OMG, Ive studied the circle for the last 3 years and had this sewn up, but I never saw the "pieces of pie" thank you so much.

So many "aha" moments in this video, I really can't begin to thank you enough.

This is a game changer. Thank you for explaining this for guitarists. So bloody helpful! I'm so inspired to write now

I have been struggling for ages to find real meaning for using the circle of fifths in my guitar songwriting. THIS is the video that finally has lit a bulb in my head and I now want to learn more!. I've always been amazed at keyboard players that seem to know the structure better than me. Thank you for this video. I'm definitely a follower now.

Yes sir, that’s far and away the clearest explanation I’ve ever heard. Many thanks.

Where have you been all of my life... Thank you from the bottom! :)

This is by far the best YT class about the circle of 5th for guitar! Million thanks 🙏

Thank you Brian , out of all the tutorials out there regarding the circle of 5ths . Yours is by far the clearest and easiest to understand

Been noodling on guitar for 20 years and I found this tonight when looking something else up on RU-vid. Brilliant explanation.

I haven't played guitar in almost 15 years, just getting back into it. Self-taught when i was a kid, never learned theory. This video was a MASSIVE help. Hugely informative. Thank you for this

I’ve played guitar for over 20 years. I’ve studied music theory and composition in High School, University, and taken many lessons with many teachers. That was the most useful explanation of the circle of 5ths I have ever seen. I never saw those connections before. Mind blown. 🤯

Awesome, finally something that explains the why for guitar players and mentions borrowed chords, I’ve gone through a lot of vids this was the best. Nice work!

I agree Kirk. Four years of college, and this is the best explanation on the circle of fifths. Thank you,

Best video on the circle of 5ths i have ever watched to date !!

The circle of 5ths has always been a puzzle for me,thanks for clearly describing it and making it useful.

Seriously impressive. I have been playing guitar for forty years.NOW I get it. Excellent work, sir.

The moment of gold for me was when he explained the entire scale is present in the 1-8 slots big help in remembering the notes of a scale

Sir, I can finally understand how to use the circle of fifths thanks to you! You explained it simply and clearly! By far the best lesson on RU-vid

I rarely comment on things, you’ve made this so easy for me thank you

In society, rarely do inner and outer circles coexist harmoniously. Thanks coach for revealing the love in music

This is literally the best explanation of Circle of Fifths. I've been playing for more than a decade and only understand it after this. THANK YOU!

Brian, you are by far the best at breaking things down to usable simple explanations... Every video you make is littered with light bulb moments! Keep up the great work...

This video is amazing! More knowledge shared in 15 minutes than others share in a lifetime. Simple, straight to the point, and super helpful!

Been playing for 1 year - countless circle of 5th videos…… this is by far the best video, hands down.

A student of mine recommended this video to watch. I appreciate the practical approach in using the circle of fifths. I learned quite a bit. I'll watch this video a few more times to nail it. Thanks for your expertise and teaching style.

Definitely the best explanation I've heard. The real-world examples bring it to life and make it so easy to remember! Genius...

This was a brilliant lesson. Finally understand the circle of fifths for chords and also for finding the scales/modes...thank you so much!

Been playing guitar for 35+ years and this is the FIRST time someone has explained the Circle of 5ths in a way that I actually understand it! And everyone else I've asked has been a music/guitar teacher with a degree in music theory and/or composition. Thank you!

the part at 8:35 where you revealed that the minor chords were in the inner ring legit blew my mind. Definitely the most understandable explanation I've seen of the circle of fifths

Oh my goodness! This was just the lesson I was looking for. You totally demystified the process. Thank you!

Excellent thanks Brian. I never knew where I could borrow a chord from I would blindly try anything. I now know. Active Melody is superb. I've said this few times now, if your not a premium member I would highly recommend it. Great content, affordable, so many lessons, monthly challenges, friendly community. Honestly you won't regret it.

THANK YOU! HALLELUJAH! Someone who could actually explain it to me. I'd be embarrassed to say how long I've been playing around on the guitar and just today... finally have a clear understanding on how to read and understand the dang thing. Thank you Brian!

62 yrs old. Stsrted music theory when I was 18. This is the clearest I've ever had it explained. Like some one said earlier, 'I wish we had the internet back then'.

I have learned about the circle of fifths many times before but never knew how to apply it. This is an amazing video pitched at exactly the right level to learn. What a fantastic explanation. You pick up a lot of this without realising with experience but it's great to understand the theory underneath it. Thanks for a great video.

Simply the best theory tutorial I've seen on YT, or anywhere for that matter. Brilliant! Thanks for sharing it with us.

Best explanation for circle of fifths I’ve ever heard.

35-year player and songwriter and, as others have said, I've never found a useful explanation of the Circle of Fifths. Until tonight. Thank you!

Man, that's the best description of the Circle of Fifths I've ever heard, and certainly the most useful! (And I've heard a few.) Everything in this vid is practical, helpful. Thank you!

Brilliant lesson and thank you for making it simple and easy to understand in a practical way!

I have never found anyone who could explain the circle of 5th like he did. Amazing Clear lesson 😌 Thank you. This guy I love ❤️ him more and more. Excellent teacher.

F man. After 20 yrs of guitar playing, that circle of fifths actually makes sense when jamming, improvising and thinking of fitting chords ... And now I need one ... Thanks man!!

At times Brian it feels like you have a psychic eye into some of the stuff I'm actually trying to learn. I've been attempting to get my head properly into the circle of 5ths for a while and just this week so this is a massive help and very timely.

Awesome lesson!!!! Thanks Brian!

Been playing guitar for 13 years and never cared for/understood it until now. Thanks!

You are really the best. I have had four guitar teachers, but none of them has told me about this circle. I wish we had a teacher like you in my country. Thank you from Thailand :)

Brian - I've been playing for the better part of 20 years (home amateur), having taken lessons a long time ago. This video has explained more about the circle of fifths and how to use it, than ALL I've researched in those 20 years, combined. Well done, and THANK YOU! Always looking forward to the next lesson!

This was amazing but a little tricky when playing in the five note scale. I play a five note, seven note scale relationship leaving out the Locrian and Lydian and adding them as useable notes in the scale. Some work better ascending and some work better descending. Hendrix did a lot of this. I was taught the circle of fifths is the proper way to move through key changes in Jazz. This is correct for classical music training in major keys. Southern Rock is based on the five note scale. Excellent lesson. Pentatonic Aeolian, Ionian, Mixolydian = string bending blues style. Don't forget Phrygian and Dorian. In string bending the Locrian and Lydian are easily reached without any position change.

Learned all the music theory but I was still clueless about the circle of fifths... When you explained it I suddenly was like 🤦🏻‍♀️ 'this was just in front of my eyes and I couldn't see it!'. Thank you sooo much!

The BEST lesson on effectively using the circle of fifths I've ever seen!!! Thank you!

Finally! You have no idea how long I have been searching for this info. Most other videos explain what the circle of fifths is but how do I use it is always missing or not clearly stated. You are the only one I have found who has presented it clearly and perfectly explained, all in one video and in only 15 minutes. Well done. I am now subscribed! Thank you!