Circle of Fifths Chord Progression Chart
Build a circle-based progression map, compare cadence landings, and keep the harmonic pull clear from the first chord to the final return.
Choose the home key, ring direction, and cadence landing, then var the chart show each fifth-motion chord with the requested color and bass motion.
| Key | Accidentals | Clockwise | Counterclockwise |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 0 | G | F |
| G | 1 sharp | D | C |
| D | 2 sharps | A | G |
| A | 3 sharps | E | D |
| E | 4 sharps | B | A |
| B | 5 sharps | F# | E |
| F# | 6 sharps | Db | B |
| Db | 5 flats | Ab | F# |
| Ab | 4 flats | Eb | Db |
| Eb | 3 flats | Bb | Ab |
| Bb | 2 flats | F | Eb |
| F | 1 flat | C | Bb |
| Family | Degree chain | Bars | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full circle ring | I IV vii dim iii vi ii V I | 8 | Full harmonic loop |
| Jazz iii-vi-ii-V-I | iii vi ii V I | 5 | Classic jazz cadence |
| Pop vi-ii-V-I | vi ii V I | 4 | Clean pop return |
| Gospel I-vi-ii-V-I | I vi ii V I | 5 | Sing-along lift |
| Classic turnaround | ii V I | 3 | Fast resolution |
| Extended pre-cadence arc | I iii vi ii V I | 6 | Longer lead-in |
| Minor circle ring | i iv VII III VI ii dim v i | 8 | Minor-key cycle |
| Reverse ring walk | I V ii vi iii vii dim IV I | 8 | Opposite pull |
| Landing | Last bars | Pull | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tonic hold | I | Gentle | Loop or fade |
| Perfect authentic | V I | Strong | Clear final stop |
| Imperfect authentic | ii V I | Strong | Longer setup |
| Plagal close | IV I | Warm | Soft landing |
| Deceptive turn | V vi | Surprise | Keep the loop open |
| ii-V-I close | ii V I | Jazz | Most common turn |
| Mode | Pattern | Chord color | Circle use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Major | 2212221 | I IV vii dim iii vi ii V | Bright and stable |
| Natural minor | 2122122 | i iv VII III VI ii dim v | Dark and flexible |
| Harmonic minor | 2122131 | i iv vii dim III VI ii dim V | Strong pull back |
The circle of fifths is a musical tool that helps a person to understand the relationship between musical keys and chords. The circle of fifths arrange the musical keys in a circle in a way that allows a person to easly understand how each key relate to the others. By using the circle of fifths, a person can create musical progressions that move from keys with a feeling of tension to those with a feeling of resolution.
Musical tension is created within a chord when it dont feel stable to the ears of those who hears it. In contrast, musical resolution occur when a chord do feel stable. Thus, the circle of fifths allow a person to move from musical tension (instability) to musical resolution (stability).
How the Circle of Fifths Helps You Understand Keys and Chords
The circle of fifths can be used in a way that is similar to a clock face in relation to musical chords. When moving in a clockwise direction around the circle of fifths, musical keys move in fourths. Clockwise movement around the circle of fifths increases the tension within the music, which create the desire in listeners for the music to reach a resolution.
For instance, moving from C major to G major to D major increases the drive in the music. When moving in a counter-clockwise direction around the circle of fifths, musical keys move in perfect fifths. Counter-clockwise movement around the circle of fifths create a gentler flow to the music that is played.
Chord progressions are groups of chords played in a certen order. A ii-V-I progression is one of the most common chord progressions because it naturaly lead to the resolution of its chords. Another common chord progression is the vi-ii-V-I progression, which is often used in pop music.
A full ring of the circle of fifths is used in music to play each of the twelve musical keys. By using all twelve musical keys in a sequence around the circle of fifths, a person can move from one key to another key in a song. A person may use loops of a chord progression, such as an eight-bar loop or a four-bar loop, when writing a chord progression for a song.
Cadences are used in music to indicate to the listener that a musical phrase has arrive at some resolution. One cadence that is most common is the perfect authentic cadence, which moves from a V chord to a I chord. Another type of cadence is the plagal cadence, which moves from a IV chord to a I chord and often sounds more warmer than a perfect authentic cadence.
A deceptive cadence occurs when a musician moves from a V chord to a vi chord instead of to the I chord. Cadence examples include the ii-V-I progression which is common in jazz music. Modes are different types of scales that can be used to create a chord progression.
Major scales create a bright sound to a chord progression and are often used in popular music to create hits. Natural minor scales create a darker sound to a chord progression than major scales. Harmonic minor scales is often used in classical music and metal music.
Chords can be built in different ways, such as using triads or seventh chords. Triads are the simplest type of chord, but seventh chords create a more complex chord. The circle of fifths does not account for every aspect of music.
For instance, the circle of fifths does not include musical rhythms. Rhythms are important to music in that they determine when a chord is played. Furthermore, the circle of fifths does not include the concept of voice leading.
Voice leading is used to describe the way that each musical note within a chord moves from one chord to the next in a song. If a musician ignores a musical melody when creating a chord progression, it is possible that the chords will not fit the lyrics of the song. Thus, in addition to the circle of fifths, musicians must also consider the melody and the rhythm of a song in order to create a complete song.
Reference maps show musicians the neighboring keys to each musical key on the circle of fifths. For instance, when a musician is playing in the key of C major, its neighbor keys are G major (clockwise) and F major (counter-clockwise). Furthermore, when moving in a clockwise direction, musical keys gain sharps to their key signatures.
When moving in a counter-clockwise direction, musical keys gain flats to their key signatures. Degree chains show the sequence of chords within a given key. Cadence tables show the strength of musical resolutions, allowing musicians to select the correct type of cadence to be used in a song.
The circle of fifths is a musical tool that teaches musicians how to understand musical motion. Musicians can use the circle of fifths to find the path that a musical progression should take. If a musician finds that a musical progression is not working for some reason, the circle of fifths can be used to find a new direction for the musical composition.
Furthermore, by utilizing the circle of fifths, a musician can always find a way to move from a state of musical tension to resolution.
