What is the Circle of Keys? Some people call it the “Circle of 5ths”, while others call it the “Circle of 4ths”. In reality, it is the same thing — it just depends on whether you move to the right or the left on the circle.
The Circle of Keys describes key relationships — which keys are most closely related, and which keys have very little relationship to one another. For example, the Key of C and the Key of G are very closely related, because they only have one difference — the F# which is in the Key of G. Otherwise, they use the same notes of the scale (but start on different points, of course).
But the Key of C and the Key of Gb have very little in common, since they have 6 differences — the six flats in the Key of Gb. (Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, and Cb).
Listen to this 10-minute podcast and you will understand:
The chord progressions in songs often follow the circle of keys, usually to the right. (By the way, the circle of keys is often called the Circle of 5ths or the Circle of 4ths, but it’s the same thing — just depends on whether you move to the right or to the left on the circle). Notice that the flat keys are on the right hand side of the circle, while the sharp keys are on the left hand side of the circle. Watch this short piano video and you’ll understand:
The circle of 5th (or circle of keys) shows the relationship between the various keys one can play in, and each subsequent key is a 5th away from the previous key (or a 4th away — depends on which way you move in the circle). For example, the key of C has no sharps or flats. To the right of the key of C on the circle is the key of F with one flat, while to the left of the key of C on the circle is the key of G. Each subsequent key has one more flat in the key signature (as you move to the right) or one more sharp (as you move to the left.) Watch the short video:
Maybe you’ve heard professional musicians talk about the circle of 5ths as though it was some kind of inside information available only to pros. Not so — it is pretty easy to learn because of a couple “beads” on both sides of the circle. What it does is show you related chords. Look at the top of the circle — you’ll see “C”. Then look left and look right and you’ll see “G” and “F”. In the key of C, those 3 chords are the most used of any chords — in fact they are called the “primary chords” for that key. Now look at any other point on the circle and then left and right and you’ll immediately know what are the most used chords in that key. Pretty easy, no? But also, as you progress around the circle clockwise you will see that each new key is 4 scale degrees above the last key. If you go counter-clockwise, you’ll see that each new key is 5 scales degrees above the previous key. That’s why it is usually called the “circle of 5ths”, but sometimes called the “circle of 4ths”. I suspect the most accurate name is the “circle of keys.” It’s very easy to memorize, because when moving clockwise after C and F are the letters Bb, Eb, Ab, and Db — which of course spells the word “bead.” Then at the bottom of the circle is an F# or Gb (they are enharmonic tones — same sound, different name) and then the word “bead” again, followed by “G” and then you’re back to C. I’ll make a video about it soon so you can see how it works on the keyboard, but meanwhile, memorize that circle (if you don’t already have it memorized, that is.) You’ll find that memorizing that circle helps you learn music theory faster, key signatures better, chord progressions more logical, major scales and minor scales make more sense, and even pentatonic scales more understandable.
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