MUSIC THEORY

The 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 flats 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 flats,
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 fingerboard
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 benefit of a Circle of Fifths study is a much
higher level of skill with both music theory and its application to the guitar neck.
In this lesson plan, we will begin with a breakdown of music theory as its associated to the
Circle of fifths. Then well head over to the guitar neck and study how this circle of fifths idea
can be used to practice; technique, chord knowledge and even scales and arpeggios.

Creative Guitar Studio 2013

The Circle of Fifths

Page (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 5ths. The key of, C, moves a 5th up to, G.
When we move in a Counter-clockwise direction, (known as down), we descend in fifths. The
key of, C is down a 5th from the key of, F. The inner-circle contains the Relative Minor Keys.
Down by fifths
(Flat Keys)

Up by fifths
(Sharp Keys)

Creative Guitar Studio 2013

The Circle of Fifths

Page (3)

SECTION THREE:
Moving through the Circle of Fifths on the Fingerboard...

Song Title - Artist

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20

Em

Page 2 of 2

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Page 2 of 2

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The Circle of Fifths

Page (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, Im going to practice through a series of, Major
Triad Chords. The direction that Ill be using will be that of traveling up by fifths. 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.
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Page (5)
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Creative Guitar Studio 2013

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The
Circle of Fifths
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Page (6)

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The Circle of Fifths Applied to the Practice of Riffs & Licks...

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Generated using the Power Tab Editor by Brad Larsen. http://powertab.guitarnetwork.org

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 finally ending upon, A Minor.

Song Title - Artist

Page 2 of 2

Bm

20

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Creative Guitar Studio 2013

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The Circle of Fifths

Page (7) - Video Opening Guitar Jam

Southern Breeze

P = 76

I 44

by Andrew Wasson

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Creative Guitar Studio 2013

13 12 10

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The Circle of Fifths

Song Title - Artist

Page (8)

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Page 2 of 2

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Thank you for your

donations & Generous Support - Andrew Wasson
Generated using the Power Tab Editor by Brad Larsen. http://powertab.guitarnetwork.org
Creative Guitar Studio 2013