Circle Of Fifths

I ran across a good (and free) printable circle of fifths on www.tikiking.com

It prints out at roughly 3.5 inches (90mm), so it's a good size to toss in a case or gig bag.

Taken directly from the website:

The circle of fifths can be used for many things. To help with chord progressions, to determine the Key that a song is in, to determine the scale for that Key.

The "circle of fifths" is a term coined by German musician Johann David Heinichen in 1728, and is basically a chart showing all 12 pitches which are arranged in such a way that as you go clockwise, you go up a fifth. However, due to the nature of how scales work, when you go counter clockwise you go down a fourth. For example, the fifth note of the G major scale (G A B C D E F#) is D (going clockwise) but the G is the fourth note in the key of D (D E F# G A B C#)
So, if you pick a key, Say "C" for example, That is your I Chord. The adjacent chord counter-clockwise (left) is the IVchord. The chord clockwise (right) is the V chord. So, in the key of C major, C is the IChord, F is the IVchord, and G is the V chord.
It has been said that nearly half the western worlds songs are based on the I, IV ,V progression. So there you go...

Circle.Of.Fifths.pdf (Same as image, but in PDF)

0 members like this

< Previous Post

Comment

You need to be a member of Cigar Box Nation to add comments!

Join Cigar Box Nation

Comment by Mark Bliss on August 18, 2011 at 6:59pm: Hmm, I just never needed an additional ring to transpose a key......

Thanks for the post Jeff!

Comment by Chris Tinker on August 18, 2011 at 8:41am: Yay Tiki King.... Excellent fella, makes his own ukuleles too!

Comment by Jeff "Sweet T" Tinsley on August 18, 2011 at 7:48am: Just as an example let's say you sing best in F#, but your lyrics/chord sheet has your favorite CCR song in A.

To transpose the song to your vocal range, just line up the F# on the inner ring with the A on the outer ring and you know your new I,IV,V chords are F#,B,Db

Comment by Mark Bliss on August 17, 2011 at 6:27am: OK, I have a chart and use it as described and beyond, but clarify for me, how the double ring is utilized?

RSS

Welcome to
Cigar Box Nation

Sign Up
or Sign In

Or sign in with:

The Essential Pages

Site Sponsor

Forum

Blog Posts

Latest Activity

Doug Thorsvik posted a video

Shout with Joy to God: 2-String Chugger License Plate Cigar Box Guitar

Cigar Box Guitar Slingers - Spokane, 199th Zoom Mtg 04/22/24. Only 1-finger chords, free songbooks here: https://www.cbgslinger.com/download CBG SOF Songbook...

1 hour ago

0 Comments 0 Likes

A.D.EKER left a comment for David Hopkins

"They look a lot like the Roger Farrington creation's from 1980!"

2 hours ago

A.D.EKER commented on A.D.EKER's video

All You Got to do is put your Mind to it ! BCB - A .D .Eker 2024

"Yes he was ! Uncle John ! thank you for the like and kind comment ! Dang me !"

2 hours ago

Uncle John commented on Gary O'slide's video

Acoustic folk box cigar box guitar @RhialtoPurple

"Nice. Bright and sunshiny. Feeling good music. Thanks!"

2 hours ago

Uncle John commented on A.D.EKER's video

All You Got to do is put your Mind to it ! BCB - A .D .Eker 2024

"Roger was extra special. And fun. Wailing harp there, A.D.! Good tribute!"

2 hours ago

A.D.EKER commented on A.D.EKER's video

All You Got to do is put your Mind to it ! BCB - A .D .Eker 2024

" You can Rollerskate in a Buffalo Herd !!"

5 hours ago

A.D.EKER commented on A.D.EKER's video

All You Got to do is put your Mind to it ! BCB - A .D .Eker 2024

5 hours ago

A.D.EKER posted a video

All You Got to do is put your Mind to it ! BCB - A .D .Eker 2024

a Tribute to the Great lyricist Roger Miller ,a adapted version of the Tune " You cant Rollerskate in a Buffalo Herd " whit the refrein , on a four string c...

5 hours ago

4 Comments 2 Likes

A.D.EKER commented on A.D.EKER's photo