Circle of Fifths

How to Use the Circle of Fifths

1. Click any key on the outer ring (major keys) or inner ring (minor keys) to select it.
2. The info panel shows the key signature, scale notes, diatonic chords, and related keys.
3. Press Play Scale to hear the major scale of the selected key.
4. Neighbor keys (the keys on either side) share the most chords and are the easiest to modulate to.
5. The relative minor shares all the same notes as the major key — it's the innermost ring entry.

Understanding the Circle of Fifths

The Circle of Fifths arranges the 12 keys in order of ascending fifths clockwise (C → G → D → A...) and ascending fourths counter-clockwise (C → F → Bb → Eb...). Each step clockwise adds one sharp; each step counter-clockwise adds one flat.

Why it matters: Keys next to each other on the circle are closely related — they share 6 out of 7 notes. This makes the circle the #1 tool for understanding key changes, chord substitutions, and harmonic movement. If you're writing a song in C major, the most natural chords to borrow come from G major (one sharp) and F major (one flat).

The inner ring shows relative minors. Every major key has a relative minor that uses the exact same notes but starts on the 6th degree. C major and A minor are relatives — same notes, different feel.