Chartwell/Books/Music/Theory/Guitar_ The Circle of Fifths fo - Joseph Alexander.txt

Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Notes and Intervals
Chapter 2: Scales and Keys
Chapter 3: Circle of Fifths
Chapter 4: Circle of Fourths
Introduction

The Circle of Fifths shows relationships between keys, key signatures, scales, and chords. It helps with songwriting, practice, and understanding music structure.

You will learn:

Key signatures
Modulation (moving between keys)
Scales and chords
Relative minor keys
Guitar applications
Chapter 1: Notes and Intervals
Semitone

A semitone is the smallest interval in Western music (1 fret on guitar).

Example (Chromatic Scale from E):
E – F – F# – G – G# – A – A# – B – C – C# – D – D# – E

Tone

A tone = 2 semitones (2 frets).

Whole Tone Scale (E):
E – F# – G# – A# – C – D – E

Perfect 5th

A 5th spans five note names and 7 semitones.

Examples:

C → G
A → E

Guitar:
The 5th is 7 frets above the root.

More examples:

E → B
A → E
D → A
G → D
Counting 5ths

Count five note names:

C → D → E → F → G
A → B → C → D → E

Note:
The 5th of B is F#, not F.

Guitar Tip

A 5th = +7 frets.

Example:
G → D

Chapter 1 (Continued): Guitar Applications
Power Chords

A power chord = root + 5th.

Example:
G + D

Movable shape on 6th, 5th, and 4th strings.

Finding 5ths
Count +7 frets
Use power chord shape
Move across strings (except 2nd string tuning difference)

Examples:

C → G
A → E
F# → C#
Circle of Fifths (Ascending)

C → G → D → A → E → B → F# → C# → G# → D# → A# → F → C

Note:
E# = F

Chord Practice

Practice chords along the circle:

Major
Minor
Dominant 7

Move in 5ths to create progressions.

Key Takeaways
Semitones and tones build scales
Perfect 5th = 7 semitones
5ths form strong chord movement
Pop Quiz
5th of C = G
5th of A = E
5th of E = B
5th of F# = C#
Chapter 2: Scales and Keys
What is a Scale?

A scale is a sequence of notes between the same note at different octaves.

Example:
C → C

Scales are defined by tone (T) and semitone (S) patterns.

Major Scale

C Major:
C D E F G A B C

Pattern:
T – T – S – T – T – T – S

Intervals:

C → D = T
D → E = T
E → F = S
F → G = T
G → A = T
A → B = T
B → C = S

Notes:

7th degree (leading tone) resolves to root
Pattern applies to all keys
Major Scale Formula

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Example (C):
C D E F G A B

Altered Example

1 2 3 #4 5 6 7

C D E F# G A B C

Building Scales

Steps:

Start on root
Apply T/S pattern
Use correct note names
Building Keys Using Fifths
G Major (from C system)

G A B C D E F# G

D Major

From G Major notes:

D E F# G A B C D

Fix pattern → raise 7th:

D E F# G A B C# D

Circle of Fifths (Sharps)

Each step clockwise adds one sharp (7th degree).

Order of sharps:
F# C# G# D# A# E# B#

Rule:
Key = semitone above last sharp

Examples:

G Major: F#
D Major: F#, C#
A Major: F#, C#, G#
Relative Minor Keys

Each Major key shares notes with a Minor key starting on the 6th degree.

Examples:

C Major → A Minor
G Major → E Minor
D Major → B Minor
Natural Minor Scale

A Minor:
A B C D E F G A

Pattern:
T – S – T – T – S – T – T

Major vs Minor
Major 3rd: 2 tones
Minor 3rd: 1.5 tones
Major 7 → root: semitone
Minor 7 → root: tone

Minor sound = darker

Guitar Tip

Relative minor = +10 frets from major root

Relative major = +4 frets from minor root

Key Signatures

Major and relative minor share key signature.

Major	Minor	Accidentals
C	A	0
G	E	1
D	B	2
Circle of Fourths

Moving counterclockwise = up a 4th.

Example:
C → F

F Major Construction

From C notes:
F G A B C D E F

Fix pattern → flatten 4th:

F G A Bb C D E F

Key signature: Bb

Next Step

F → Bb

Bb Major:
Bb C D Eb F G A Bb

Key Insight
Clockwise (5ths) → add sharps
Counterclockwise (4ths) → add flats


Bb Major and the Cycle of Fourths
Bb Major Scale

Notes:
Bb C D Eb F G A Bb

Pattern:
T – T – S – T – T – T – S

Relative Minor: G Minor
Key Signature: Bb, Eb
Cycle of Fourths Rules
Build a Major scale on the 4th note of the previous scale
Flatten the 4th note of the new scale
The 6th note gives the relative minor
Example Progression

Bb Major → Eb Major

Flatten 4th: Eb → Ab
Relative Minor: C Minor
Key Signature: Bb, Eb, Ab

Eb Major → Ab Major

Flatten 4th: Ab → Db
Relative Minor: F Minor
Key Signature: 4 flats

Rule:
Each new scale starts on the previously flattened note.

Order of Flats

Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb, Fb

Mnemonic: Beans Eaten At Dinner Get Charlie Farty

Reverse of sharps:
F, C, G, D, A, E, B

Enharmonic Notes

Same pitch, different names:

C# = Db
D# = Eb
F# = Gb
G# = Ab
A# = Bb

Note:
F# Major includes E# to maintain correct scale structure.
Db Major is often used instead of C# Major for simplicity.

Moving Around the Circle
Counterclockwise (Fourths / Flats)
Move up a 4th
Add a flat

Example:
C → F → Bb → Eb → Ab

Clockwise (Fifths / Sharps)
Move up a 5th
Add a sharp

Example:
C → G → D → A → E

Note Adjustment Rule
Flattening a sharp: G# → G
Sharpening a flat: Bb → B
Dominant and Subdominant
Dominant = 5th (clockwise)
Subdominant = 4th (counterclockwise)

Example (A Major):

Function	Key
Dominant	E Major
Subdominant	D Major
Relative Minor	F# Minor
Relative Minor (Dominant)	C# Minor
Relative Minor (Subdominant)	B Minor

Insight:
You can reach closely related keys by changing only one note.

Why the Circle of Fifths Matters
Shows all notes in any key
Enables smooth modulation

Modulation types:

Small changes → subtle (classical)
Large changes → dramatic (pop/rock)
Chord Construction

Build chords by stacking 3rds:

Example (A Major):
A C# E → A Major chord

Harmonizing the A Major Scale

Scale:
A B C# D E F# G#

Degree	Chord	Notes
1	A Major	A C# E
2	B Minor	B D F#
3	C# Minor	C# E G#
4	D Major	D F# A
5	E Major	E G# B
6	F# Minor	F# A C#
7	G# Diminished	G# B D
Closely Related Keys

Keys differ by one note.

Example:
A Major → E Major

Changed note: D → D#

E Major Chords
Degree	Chord	Notes
1	E Major	E G# B
2	F# Minor	F# A C#
3	G# Minor	G# B D#
4	A Major	A C# E
5	B Major	B D# F#
6	C# Minor	C# E G#
7	D# Diminished	D# F# A

Shared chords (A & E):
A, Bm, C#m, F#m

Pivot Chords and Modulation

Pivot chords = shared chords between keys.

Example: A → E
Pivot: F# Minor
New key introduced by: B Major
Example: A → D
Changed note: G# → G
Pivot: B Minor
New chord: G Major
Modulation Process
Identify related keys
Find shared (pivot) chords
Introduce new chord with changed note

Key perception shifts when new notes appear.

Movement Summary
Clockwise → Dominant (add sharp)
Counterclockwise → Subdominant (add flat)
Key Takeaways
Circle of Fifths explains key relationships
Pivot chords enable smooth modulation
Practice harmonizing scales and changing keys
Practice Tip

Draw and rebuild the Circle of Fifths repeatedly to internalize relationships.