The Circle of 5ths in 12 minutes 

I grew up on guitar chords. But, I had an AHA! moment as an adult when I had been loaned a piano after years of simple guitar playing. I started rote learning piano scales and chord fingerings, inverting chords and sussing things out from what my hands were teaching my brain. The muscle memory of the chords started to make my brain see what I couldn't grok before. I had a moment when I instantly realized I could improvise chords in any major key. I had no idea what they were called, my hands would just do it. The Heavens opened and the first bit of theory dropped into my smooth brain! But I never understood the good of the Circle of Fifths until today. Never to old to get some more music theory!

never thought of the circle of 5ths as a dating guide -- guess I should ask my husband what key he is (LOL)

Very similar to how I explain the circle of fifths. The only critic is never example all twelve intervals as 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12. This will confuse people when you are talking about chord intervals. There is only seven notes in a major scale, and they are number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7. If you want to name all 12 intervals, you need to call them by their interval names. 1 root note, 2 flat second, 3 second, 4 minor third, 5 maj third, 6 perfect fourth, 7 Diminish, 8 perfect fifth, 9 Augmented fifth, 10 6th, 11 minor seventh, 12 major seventh

I've had jazz players look down their noses at me (rock, country, blues, ballad, simple-jazz guitarist/keyboardist/bassist ear-player with poor score-reading skills) because I hadn't heard of, didn't understand, hadn't grasped the amazingly revelatory usefulness of, the mystical, magical Circle of 5ths. Having watched Guy's excellent video, I now feel as though someone has explained to me the mechanics of walking in order for me to be able to walk. I understand everything that's been said, my left eyebrow and even my left lip lifted ever-so slightly in mild interest at a couple of fun-facts (did you know your toes maintain contact with the ground about 75% of the time when walking?). But actually I could already walk. Somehow I'd managed to learn how to walk without having a picture on the wall showing how all the nerves, muscles, bones and tendons interact in order to make it possible. This video is a brilliant explanation of a concept that I'm sure is really useful to people who are struggling to break out from standard chord progressions etc. But next time I'm playing with some snob of an Academy-trained player who starts on about the Circle of 5ths, I shall remain smug in the knowledge that they probably needed to know and use it because their ears aren't good enough or they don't listen to, absorb and experiment with a wide enough range of music.

Guy: "Take a wild guess HOW many sharps are in the key of A" Me: 6! Guy: "correct" Me: :D I knew it!

OMG... I literally was just teaching this exact lesson 5 mins ago with my class. I'll be sharing this video next week with them. Thanks for the great content

I am French...I play guitar...have no music theory.....but your channel is so useful and clever that I follow you and try to understand all what you explain ! Thanks a lot Master 🥰 👍. Regards from France.

Need a video about Diminished and Augmented chords( &other chords than maj and min) and their uses/specialities..??

Back in the mid 90s I took a night-school Jazz theory class. One lesson they introduced this. For a couple of weeks I was baffled by it. And then one day it just snapped into place and it was like the entire edifice of music theory all just fell into place in a giant beautiful geometric pattern. I felt like I found the secret key to unlock the musical universe. I still feel like that about the circle of fifths. Oh and regarding the Bdim "one we dont mention". Its my favorite chord lol (and in something like Cmin scale , Bdim is the most amazing substitution for a G. Against a harmonic minor, its the fanciest sounding thing!

I suppose Your style of presentation is not everybody‘s cup of tea but I like it ! Refreshingly uninhibited and overenthusiastic ( in a good way). A welcome change from all the knowledgeable and informative but somewhat dull musictutorials. I also like Your „ Britishness“ . Good to see something that cheers one up in these gloomy times of corona hysteria. Thanks and keep up the good work. I may sign up for one of Your courses. Best wishes: Peter

My teacher put ' revise the circle of fifths ' in my tuition log for this weeks homework and there's quite a few videos on it but this is the one that gets my vote and unlocked the mystique,removed the sunglasses and blew away the fog - so now i'm enlightened ! Thank you Guy - any relation to Cliff ?

I am a piano teacher and I watch your videos because I absolutely love your way of teaching. From now on, i will teach the circle of fifths your way. Thanks!

Despite my best efforts in the past, I've never really understood the circle of fifths. This explanation clarifies it all so simply that it's hard to know why I ever found it so complicated. It's a brilliant lesson and very entertaining with it. Thanks.

6 minutes in and i realised that my music theory teacher made me learn this using a pneumonic device. i just thought it helped me know all the notes in the major/minor scales bc of relative keys, i remember them by the 3 semitone (half step) rule. To find the minor scale, go down 3 semitones. To find the major scale, go up 3 semitones.

You are a fab teacher. It takes a lot of sanctity for someone who is so knowledgeable to be able to have the ability to explain something so simple to ones own self which can be seen as complicated to others. You just taught me the circle of fifths, how amazing.

Hi Guy. Thanks for this video. I am one of those who fit the description you gave about the Circle of fifths. After seeing how you explain it, it makes more sense to me. The sunglasses are off, I'm looking in the right direction but there are still a few patches of fog. I'll just have to practice and I'm sure the fog will dissipate. Thanks again for this, and other, informative videos.

"And the one we dont mention....b diminished" lmao that had me cackling

This made my day! Just what I needed. THANK YOU!

Almost done with the Music Theory course. It's helping me progress beyond my expectations. Fully plan to take advantage of the sale (30% off short courses) and take them all. Thanks Guy. Best teacher in the world.

You are a gifted teacher. Thank you for sharing this 🙏

Cheers Guy, removing my sunglasses of doubt with every video!

I did all this 30 years ago but its always good to go over the basics again as I'd shoved it into a dark corner and it makes a lot of sense to remember this when using more complex key changing systems! :o)

Simply great explanation. Even though I’m doing several of Guys courses, I love watching these videos. He never misses a chance to make stuff interesting and fun.

Great stuff as always, Guy! And I can vouch for your Music Theory course, it is terrific and it really helped me to not only start being able to wrap my head around music theory... but it actually helped me become a lover of music theory, in general. Now it's one of my favorite subjects. Cheers!

Merci beaucoup for this. I don't know why I clicked here since I have seen other videos, but this was entertaining and showed the circle in ways that really helped my understanding. You've intrigued me so I think I'll watch another one.

Guy.. I'm a recent subscriber...love the channel, you've clarified some foggy theory I've had, Circle of Fifths being one of them. I normally play guitar but you've also inspired me to get back to my piano, THANK YOU!

Hands down the best explanation of the circle of 5ths I found on youtube! And not only informative but fun to watch. Thank you so much! 😊

I use the "circle of minor seconds", which also goes around in twelve steps. It has the interesting property that if you go the other way, its the "circle of major sevenths". Also, the notes occur in the exact some order as the alphabet, which makes it really convenient to learn. The worst of the rest is the "Six Demonic Circles of Tritone". I'm of course not being entire serious here, but you can construct this kind of thing from other intervals, and in doing so, get some fascinating insights.

Awesome! Marking this. I think the ThinkSpace Education videos on the circle of fifths were the best I’ve ever seen. Thanks Guy, for creating something my simple mind can understand! Haha!

I normally sit in the corner with a voice in my head telling me ‘you can’t’ do this! I kind of get it now.. A little more work and I think I should be able to sit on the couch..🤣👍🇦🇺

Wonderful lesson ! Thank you so much, I loved the way you explained it.

Man..your videos are sooo good...and fresh and hilarous! A pleasure to watch ! Thanks !

You are an awesome music teacher! Well explained!

That chuckle at “8:00” into the lesson...same sense of humor. I saw you edit this out 😂.

Massive thanks Guy. The dating analogy really helps to understand it just a guide to help with music writing not a rigid instruction. I also really appreciate looking at the circle as first keys then chords. This is the first time I actually felt I understood what the circle was designed to show.

Thank you! There is sooooo much content out there for adult early beginners. This is very informative and fun. I look forward to checking out your other content. Cheers!

I've been (trying) to learn this circle, but now I finally what it's for! Thanks for the clear (and fun) explanation!

Up a mountain in fog with sunglasses looking the wrong way. Nobody describes a hurdle quite like us! Cheers for the vid.

Over the years of being self-taught I've managed to gather an understanding of the different keys' relationships by experimentation. It's nice to finally have explained the actual theory behind it. Indeed I did think "Is that it?" at the end of the video, not because I didn't think it was useful, but precisely because I realized I had already been putting it in practice for so long. It feels like I learned backwards lol

I learned how the circle of fifths works. Seeing it laid out on the keyboard is great but I want to apply it to the guitar fretboard. Thanks for your upbeat videos!

Great video as always, clear and easy to understand - Thanks!

Allways to the point. Thx Guy. You are the best.

This was fantastic! Thanks!

If only my teachers at school had been more like you.......thank you for sharing your talents and knowledge.....your delivery style entertains and informs without labour. In the nicest possible way you are the "Nutcracker suite" in a World that is currently more "The Rite of Spring".

EUREKA! This is surely a miracle. After years of avoiding this topic, I finally made up my mind to start on it today. However each video I watched just left me feeling more and more baffled until I started to feel decidedly stupid. Just when I made up my mind to keep searching doggedly - regardless of increasing discouragement - until I found a glimmer of enlightenment, the very next video I chose was this one. Thank you. The fog has lifted, the sunglasses are off, and I am facing the right way armed with binoculars. Furthermore, it was FUN.

your videos are amazing!! Thank you

Very clear explanation Guy, as usual! If you go anti-clockwise it becomes the Circle of Fourths. You can easily work out the 2-5-1 progression (A common progression in Jazz which mostly uses the 'flat' side rather than the 'sharp' side of this circle, for those not aware). If you want the 2-5-1 of say Ab, you go two steps back to Bb, one step forward to Eb and one more step forward back to Ab...and that's your 2-5-1! It's brilliant :)

Just started learning the piano, and really like your videos. Great work.

Another fantastic video Guy! Intellectual but simple, informative but amusing.

Amazing!!! Thank you 😊

very helpful video! I'm glad i found this Guy, you explain it in a way that is easy to understand, which is the part i've struggled with. I understood that they keys had relationships but i didn't really understand how to put them together. thanks!

Brilliant explanation!

Thank you,as always Guy

Ive done a 180, and the fog is cleared. Thank you!

I love his enthusiasm. I play by ear so this has been very helpful. Thanks so much.

I love this, I began my theory journey in April 2020, by day 3 I had watched over 5 different videos on this very topic for it to finally sink in, I got to the point of drawing this concentric circle off by heart, I wish your video had been available back in 2020 as i became fixated on this circle

I am almost angry at how simple it really is. Bravo.

Thank You Guy! You Help Me So Much with Your Music and I would Of Never of Been Where I am Today Without with your Video's!

An excellent tutorial Guy. Music theory made easy. Thank you.

Nice! Just took your theory course which explained it very well. This just helped reinforce it. Thank you!

Very helpful, thanks!😁

I wanna thank you a lot for the relationship analogy. I don't easily learn things from being told, and often need analogies and yours makes me understand almost exactly how chords relate to one another.

What an interesting and simple entertaining lesson. Thank you. That was really great. I leant something and I enjoyed listening to you. 👍🙏🙏

Wonderful stuff Guy. Thanks you

This video was extremely useful to me. I've been trying to teach myself how to play during the pandemic and your sense of humour and easy explanations really helped break down a concept that seemed so confusing at first

Finally......it just clicked in my brain!! thank you thank you for explaining it. this is huge

Absolutely amazing!

Oh! Thanks, I needed this.

Brilliant explanation, and hilarious. Thanks!

Maybe the best explanation I've seen so far. It's mind blowing. Thank you sir. 🙏

Beautifully described

Thank you so so very much! I was able to understand bits and pieces of this before but it has never been put so plainly for me to understand until now! Absolutely wonderful. And your jokes are good.

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Very humorous and informative, thank you!

This is the best explanation of The Circle of 5ths I have encountered. Thank you.

I've done the course and can only commend it to anyone who plays music. Where were you 50 years ago when I needed you? - oh wait; don't answer that! Seriously though, music theory should be taught like this - always engaging, good explanation and better late than never (for the more "mature" person) - keep up the great work.

Great video! I finally got the basics of it.

Another brilliant video. You are number 1 in my RU-vid list of tutors by far. Can I request a video of layering of samples (preferably BBC SO Core, which I have). To include how to build ensemble patches by using individual patches, if possible. As I have said before, because of my age, your Dad was a star aswell. All the best.

You're simply amazing! Thank you so much!

After years of struggling with this, THANK YOUUUU🤩🙌🏻

Excellent ! Simply the best explanation of the circle of 5th!

Thank you Guy!!!!!

its crazy how good you are at teaching. the circle of 5ths has baffled me before watching your vid

FAN-TAS-TIC! Thank you!

Most useful video I watched this year , thank's!

This was so helpful for my A level lesson. Your a lifesaver!

Love your style of teaching, you remind me of Keith Floyd the chef, presumably without the drink. Always manage to make it interesting and keep my attention.

Best teacher on RU-vid or world.

Excellent ! Why wasn’t music theory taught that excentric and passionnating way at school, when i was a kid ? I really enjoyed this video and, most of all, now i can get rid of my sun glasses. Thanks a lot.

This structure is extremely visible on the guitar. It's been my compositional compass for years. Even before I knew what it was. Great video - thanks from Vegas

Thank you, Guy! I recently did a course in the fundamentals of music theory. They did the circle of fifths. Maybe I should have worked it out, but not once did they mention the 4-1-5 2-6-3 relationship. I've been trying to work it out each time, but it's right there!!! I'll be taking the circle of fifths I printed out, out of the drawer it currently lives in and pinning it to my wall.

That really made sense. Thanks Guy!

I FINALLY UNDERSTOOD IT FOR THE FIRST TIME OMG THANK YOU

I'm so excited to watch this! I've been learning Music Theory for years but without fail your videos alway teach me something new about subjects I already know, so I can't wait! Thanks Guy, you're amazing!

This is so clear.... I watched a lot of these and didn’t get the point... it could use some more exemples playes in different keys.. THANK YOU

Fantastic revision for an old guitar player, thanks Guy!

Cheers for the video! Really helped me realise I need to stop focusing on circle before I figure out notes, scales and chords!

I watched rick beatos music theory videos and I could understand some as a beginner but you added and explained so many more concepts it makes so much more sense

never expected to hear "online dating hell" in a music theory video but i'm glad i did! 😂 thank you for sharing your knowledge!

Ha! Hubris, got you now! Glad I didn't skip the video, cuz I never noticed that the relative minors of adjacent keys(f, g) on the circle were actually in the scale (c) and make up the 2 and 3 chords. :D