# The circle of fifths

*Module 5 · Lesson 6: The major scale and keys · BazzLow*

> Use the circle of fifths as a map of keys and their relationships.

Before this lesson: [5.5 The order of sharps and flats](https://bazzlow.com/en/major-scale-and-keys/order-of-sharps-and-flats/)

Put the 12 keys in a circle and the relationships between them become visible. It is the best map of keys there is.

## Building the circle

Arrange the 12 keys like a clock, with C at the top. Going **clockwise**, each key is a **perfect 5th above** the previous one: C G D A E B, F♯/G♭, D♭ A♭ E♭ B♭ F, and back to C. Going **counter-clockwise**, each step is a perfect 4th above, which is a 5th below. Read that way it is sometimes called the **circle of fourths**; it is the same circle.

> **Diagram:** The circle of fifths. Outer ring: major keys clockwise from C at the top. Inner ring: the relative minor keys. The ring between them shows the key signature of each key. Select a key to see its name in the centre.

## Sharps and flats

Each step clockwise **adds one sharp**, or removes one flat. Each step counter-clockwise adds one flat, or removes one sharp. At the bottom the circle meets itself through enharmonic keys: F♯ = G♭. B/C♭ and C♯/D♭ are also enharmonic, but most circles show only B and D♭.

> **Diagram:** The circle of fifths with arrows: each step clockwise adds one sharp (or removes one flat); each step counter-clockwise adds one flat (or removes one sharp).

## Neighbouring keys

**Neighbouring keys** differ by **one note**. C and G share everything except F / F♯. That is why music moves easily to neighbouring keys (Module 14). For any key on the circle, its neighbour counter-clockwise is its **IV**, the subdominant, and its neighbour clockwise is its **V**, the dominant. The three together hold the three major chords of the key (Module 8).

The inner ring of most circles shows the **relative minor** keys (Module 6). For now, note that each one shares its key signature with the major key next to it.

## Try it

Starting from C, play the root of each key going clockwise around the circle, one note per beat at 80 BPM. On the bass it alternates the “next string up, 2 frets up” shape (a perfect 5th) and the “same fret, string below” shape (a perfect 4th down). Name each key and its number of sharps or flats.

## New terms

- circle of fifths
- circle of fourths
- neighbouring key

Page: https://bazzlow.com/en/major-scale-and-keys/circle-of-fifths/