circle of fifths
DESCRIPTION
Guitar lessonTRANSCRIPT
7/17/2019 Circle of Fifths
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/circle-of-fifths-568c5e98509a8 1/8
MUSIC THEORYThe Circle of Fifths
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SA698Qqj3l0
By Andrew Wasson
Visit: www.creativeguitarstudio.com
SECTION ONE:
The Circle of Fifths Offers Musicians an Excellent Practice Tool...
STUDY CHORDS, SCALES ARPEGGIOS & LINES USING THIS METHOD: The Circle of Fifths is a very important concept. And, it is one that can have many solid
practice spin-offs. This might include, (but not be limited to), learning better technique
for; your chords, your guitar licks, your knowledge of the neck and not to mention your
understanding of keys and key signature movements for all of the sharps and ats as they
function in the key signature system.
When it comes down to applied knowledge, (rehearsal of your chords, scales and arpeggios),
with the key signatures, the circle of 5ths theory certainly creates a very tidy image for how
these keys can operate to organize a great study routine. We can use the Circle of Fifths
image to; travel in upward or downward directions, we can apply the Relative Major & Minor
key theory, for a proper understanding of how to memorize the order of the sharps and ats,
and we can have a logical system to correlate the Major and Relative Minor Keys. All in all, this
cycle of movement that we have for the keys can not only help us to better understand
relationships between the keys, (as they move one to the next), but it also helps us when it
comes to using the keys for the rehearsal of other guitar techniques.
When we use the Circle of Fifths as a study tool, the by-product becomes far better ngerboard
knowledge. As stated in the past, the memorization of all of the keys will help a great deal for
building better skills with melody and harmony. The benet of a Circle of Fifths study is a much
higher level of skill with both music theory and it’s application to the guitar neck.
In this lesson plan, we will begin with a breakdown of music theory as it’s associated to the
Circle of fths. Then we’ll head over to the guitar neck and study how this circle of fths idea
can be used to practice; technique, chord knowledge and even scales and arpeggios.
© Creative Guitar Studio 2013
7/17/2019 Circle of Fifths
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/circle-of-fifths-568c5e98509a8 2/8
The Circle of FifthsPage (2)
SECTION TWO:The Circle of Fifths “Wheel /Clock” Image Explained...
Study the Circle of Fifths image below. When traveling in the Clockwise direction, (known as“up”), we ascend through the Sharp Keys in 5th’s. The key of, “C,” moves a 5th up to, “G.”
When we move in a Counter-clockwise direction, (known as “down”), we descend in fths. The
key of, “C” is down a 5th from the key of, “F.” The inner-circle contains the Relative Minor Keys.
© Creative Guitar Studio 2013
Down by fths
(Flat Keys)Up by fths
(Sharp Keys)
7/17/2019 Circle of Fifths
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/circle-of-fifths-568c5e98509a8 3/8
© Creative Guitar Studio 2013
The Circle of FifthsPage (3)
SECTION THREE:Moving through the Circle of Fifths on the Fingerboard...
In my rst two examples, I wanted to have a look at how the circle of 5ths can be thought of in
terms of movement through keys, traveling both up, as well as, down through the key
signatures. In example one, I’m starting on the rst key - the natural key of, “C Major.” and
from there I’m traveling up by 5ths, which runs us through all of the sharp keys.
Example #1). Practice the movement through Sharp keys traveling, “Up in Fifths.”
Example #2). Practice the movement through Flat keys traveling, “Down in Fifths.”
ITAB
(C)
W
8
(G)
W
10
(D)
W
5
(A)
W7
(E)
W2
(B)
W4
(Fb)
W7
g
(Cb)W
9
g
ITAB
(C)
W
8
(F)
W
8
(B`)W
8
e(E`)W
8
e(A`)W
6
e(D`)W
6
e(G`)W
7
e (C`)W
7
e
7/17/2019 Circle of Fifths
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/circle-of-fifths-568c5e98509a8 4/8
The Circle of FifthsPage (4)
SECTION THREE cont...
In example #3, I wanted to shift over into the world of practicing chords with the circle of 5ths
movement cycle. To initially demonstrate this, I’m going to practice through a series of, “Major
Triad Chords.” The direction that I’ll be using will be that of traveling up by fths. Starting off on
a, “C Major Triad in 3rd position,” here is a technique workout that applies the circle of 5ths as a
way to practice the major triad chord shapes all over the lower region of the guitar neck.
Example #3). Practice this Circle of Fifths study of Major Triads in the lower neck positions.
In example four, I run through the circle of fths using Relative Minor Theory. This time, I will be
traveling, “Down by Fifths,” through the Flat keys.
Example #4). Practice this Circle of Fifths study of Minor Triads in the middle-neck positions.
© Creative Guitar Studio 2013
I
TAB
44C
W
5
W
5
W
5
W
3
G
W
3
W
3
W
4
W
5
W
5
W
3
D
W
3
W
2
W4
W
5
g
A
W
5
W
2
W
2
W2
gE
W
4
W
5
W
4
W2
gB
W
4
W
4
W4
W
2
g
g
FbW
2
W
2
W
3
W4
ggg g
CbW
2
W
1
W3
W
4
ggg
I
TAB
Am
W
5
W
5
W
5
W
7
W
7
W
5
Dm
W
5
W
6
W
7
W
7
W
5
Gm
W
6
W
8
W
7
W
5
eCm
W
8
W
8
W
5
W
8
eFm
W
6
W
5
W
6
W
8
eB`mW
6
W
6
W
6
W
8
eeeE`mW
7
W
8
W
8
W
6
eeee
A`mW
4
W
4
W
4
W
6
eee
7/17/2019 Circle of Fifths
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/circle-of-fifths-568c5e98509a8 5/8
The Circle of FifthsPage (5)
SECTION FOUR:The Circle of Fifths Applied to Arpeggio Practice...
In example ve, I have a very popular way to practice arpeggio exercises using the Circle of
Fifths. This method applies a direction through the circle and then it maintains that movement
as it travels from one key to the next through the Circle of Fifths.
In this particular example, I decided to use the, “Major 7th Arpeggios,” and travel upwards
through the circle of fths. I begin upon the, “C Major 7,” arpeggio and continued until
I eventually complete our sharp key cycle, nally ending upon a, “C# Major 7,” arpeggio.
Example #5). The, “Major 7th Arpeggio,” traveling upward through the Circle of Fifths.
© Creative Guitar Studio 2013
i i i
I
TAB
Cmaj7
V
8
V
7
V
10
V
9
V
10
V
9
V
10
V
7
Gmaj7
V
10
V
9
V
7
V
7
g V
8
V
7
V
7
V
9
Dmaj7
V
10
V
9
g V
7
V
6
g V
7
V
6
V
7
V
9
Amaj7
V
7
V
6
g V
9
V
9
g V
10
V
9
V
9
V
6
I
TAB
Emaj7
V
7
V
6
g V
9
V
8
g V
9
V
8
V
9
V
6
Bmaj7
V
7
V
6
g V
9
g V
8
g V
9
V
8
V
9
V
6
Fbmaj7
V
9
g V
8
g V
6
g V
6
g V
7
g V
6
V
6
V
8
Cbmaj7
V
9
g V
8
g V
6
g V
5
g W
6
g
7/17/2019 Circle of Fifths
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/circle-of-fifths-568c5e98509a8 6/8
The Circle of FifthsPage (6)
SECTION FIVE:The Circle of Fifths Applied to the Practice of Riffs & Licks...
In example six, as well as, example seven, I’m going to take a look at moving a guitar riff througha few keys in the Circle of fths in an along the neck manner. In example six, I’ll move the idea
along the neck using the same string sets. In example seven, I’ll shift through the same keys
using different string sets.
This concept is not only an excellent way to thoroughly burn in new guitar licks & riffs, but it is a
fantastic way to fully explore the ngerboard for both note movements, as well as, for extra study
of Ear Training across the ngerboard.
Example #6). Minor key guitar riff that travels Down by 5ths (in this example using the same
guitar string-sets) from B Minor through to, “E Minor,” and nally ending upon, “A Minor.”
Example #7). Minor key guitar riff that travels Down by 5ths (in this example using different guitar
string-sets) from B Minor through to, “E Minor,” and nally ending upon, “A Minor.”
© Creative Guitar Studio 2013
i i i
ITAB
Bm
V
P
5
V
3
V
4
V
3
V V
4
V
4
g l V
2
l V
2
l V
2
V
4
kEmV
P
10
V
8
V
9
V
8
V V
9
V
9
l V
7
l V
7
l V
7
V
9
k AmV
P
15
V
13
V
14
V
13
V V
14
V
14
l V
12
l V
12
l V
12
V
14
k
I
T
AB
Bm
V
P
5
V
3
V
4
V
3
V V
4
V
4
g l V
2
l V
2
l V
2
V
4
kEm
V
P
7
V
5
V
7
V
5
V V
7
V
7
l V
5
l V
5
l V
5
V
7
k Am
V
P
5
V
3
V
5
V
3
V V
5
V
0
lV
3
lV
3
lV
H
3
V
5
k
7/17/2019 Circle of Fifths
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/circle-of-fifths-568c5e98509a8 7/8
© Creative Guitar Studio 2013
The Circle of Fifths Page (7) - Video Opening Guitar Jam
Southern Breezeby Andrew Wasson
i i i
I1
TAB
44Gtr I
P = 76
j k V
7
V
0
V
9
V
0
D
P
sl.
9
P
0
R V
11
V
0
g V
11
V
0
V
11
V
0
VV
V
12
V
0
V
11
V
0
VV V
9
V
0
V
7
V
0
VV V
2
V
0
V
4
V
0
C
P
sl.
4
P
0
R V
5
V
0
V
5
V
0
V
5
V
0
VV V
7
V
0
V
5
V
0
VV V
0
V
0
V
2
V
0
I4
TAB
Bm
P
H
2
P0
R V
4
V0
V
4
V0
V
4
V0
VV V
2
V0
V
0
V0
A
V0
V
4
g V
0
V V
4
V0
1.
Csus2
V3
V0
V
0
VG/B
V2
V0
V
0
V V
7
V0
V
9
V0
2.
Csus2
V3
V0
V
0
VG/B
V2
V0
V
0
V
I7
TA
B
Em
V
8
V
9
V
10
V
8
D/FbV
7
V
7
g VV V
8
V
7
C
V
10
V
9
V
12
V
10
V
11
gG/B
V V
sl.
9
V
7
(A)
VEm
V
7
V
8
V
10
V
8
V
10
D/FbV P
sl.
10
z V
12
V CV
15
V
14
g V
12
V
15
V
12
V
14
P
sl.
14
zD5
V
16
W
I1
TAB
EmV
8
V
9
V
10
V
8
V
7
V
7
gD/FbVV V
8
V
7
C
V
H
5
V
7
V
H
5
V
7
V
H
5
V
7
G/B
V
4
V(A)
V
7
VEm
V
5
V
7
V
5
P
sl.
7
RD/FbV
9
V V
7
VCV
8
V
7
V
10
V
8
V
7
g V
8
D5
V
7
W
I5
TAB
C
V5
V5
V5
V5
l V5
V5
V V5
V7
g V8
Em
V
7
V
sl.
9
V
11
g l V10
v kG
V8
D/FbV7
C
V5
V
5
V5
V
5
V5
V
5
V5
V
5
l V5
V
5
V5
V
5
VV V5
V
5
V7
V
5
g V8
V
5
D5
V13
V12
V10
V
12
V
11
gD
V
12
V10
V V8
V10
7/17/2019 Circle of Fifths
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/circle-of-fifths-568c5e98509a8 8/8
© Creative Guitar Studio 2013
The Circle of Fifths
Page (8) - Video Opening Guitar Jam
Thank you for your donations & Generous Support - Andrew Wasson
i i i
I19
TAB
G
P
sl.
10
z V
12
V
10
V
12
V
10
D/FbV V
12
V
10
P
H
8
z V
10
Em
V
(10)
V
8
V
8
V V
8
V
10
G
P
sl.
10
z V
12
V
10
V
12
V
10
D/FbV P
H
10
z V
12
V
10
V
8
C
W
(8)
V V
sl.
7
V
9
V
8
V
P
10
V
8
I23
TAB
G
P
sl.
10
z V
12
V
10
V
12
V
10
D/FbV V
12
V
10
P
H
8
z V
10
Em
V
(10)
V
8
V
8
V V
8
V
10
C
P
sl.
10
z V
12
V
10
V
12
V
12
V V
12
V
14
g V
15
V
14
V
12
V
15
DP
sl.
15
z V
17
V
MFull
17
V
17
V VV
7
V
0
V
9
V
0
I27
TAB
D
P
sl.
9
P0
R V
11
V0
g V
11
V0
V
11
V0
V
V
V
12
V0
V
11
V0
V
V
V
9
V0
V
7
V0
V
V V
2
V0
V
4
V0
C
P
sl.
4
P0
R V
5
V0
V
5
V0
V
5
V0
V
V
V
7
V0
V
5
V0
V
V V
0
V0
V
2
V0
I29
TAB
Bm
P
H
2
P
0
R V4
V
0
V4
V
0
V4
V
0
VV V2
V
0
V0
V
0
A
V
0
V
4
g V0
V V
4
V
0
1.
Csus2
V
3
V
0
V0
V
G/B
V
2
V
0
V0
V V7
V
0
V9
V
0
2.
Csus2
V
3
V
0
V0
V V0
V0
V0
V
0
V
2
G6/B
WWWWW
Dadd4
V
5
V
4
g V0
V V
5
V
4
V0
V V
4
V
5
Echo /Fade...