The Circle of Fifths - How to Actually Use It

The circle of fifths is easy to learn, but what to do with it can be confusing. I'll show you a quick way to memorize it, and then ways to use it for things like chord building and key changes.

[kipling]

I'm nearly 60, but this makes me want to go back to music school with you as teacher. Great job. You have a gift.

[samuelo.c.]

2 years I did not understand. I was frustrated but I did not give up playing. Now I can confidently say it is so easy as typing this.
Just to encourage someone out there. keep practicing. don't give up

[jorgerivas]

Michael, you're an excellent teacher! You made it look so easy. I didn't major in music ( I"m a retired CFO/CPA). However, I've been playing piano for 50 yrs and cello 30 yrs. I even took 4 yrs. of cello at a university & played in a symphony. You just added a big piece of the puzzle to my musical knowledge. We're never too old to learn. Thank you!!

[aidanmiller]

This guy is an absolute legend. My friends and I are in a band, and I was struggling to understand how to write my own music, until I saw this video. He described an advanced course simple enough to have an overgrown toddler like myself understand it. Keep up the good work!

[galdento]

Use these as replay buttons

0:29 -Making the circle
4:00 -Notes
7:02 -Chords
8:31 -Keys

[AnthonyCTSW]

I'm just into my second year of learning to play, in my case a clarinet, but I really took a step forward with you explaination of the circle of 5Ths . excellent
P.S. I'm 78 and wishing I should have started earlier

[auroraalis]

Don't understand all the negative comments. For me this was an incredibly simple method of understanding something I have been looking for a long time. I've taken notes and I will put it to use. Please keep doing what you do.

[RexLabsproduction]

I'm currently 169 years old and i love your lessons and its never too late to learn piano. Every time I play piano I feel young!!!

[איתןליברמן-ונ]

I admire the clarity in the way you explain, and the sympathy in the way you address your listeners. You are a clever teacher, and made this subject interesting and accessible

[carolynlajara]

lmao thanks for this, but serious question... How did you find out about the time I got drunk and ate butterflies!?

[canellofl]

Lol if you listen close at 2:22 you can hear someone getting arrested lol (PUT YOUR HANDS BEHIND YOUR BACK)

[gyanivyakti]

Shit this guy just taught me more in 15 mins than what I'd learnt myself in the last 2 years

[AndrewSmith-whlo]

I've just started piano after strumming a guitar for years and I am so grateful that you have made this video which has massively deepened my knowledge of notes, chords and keys. This 15 minutes has given me the knowledge and motivation to take my music studies to the next level. You are a great teacher because you know what students find difficult. Excellent.

[Deedee]

The best circle of fifths explanation on the web, congrats!

[richardvega]

Way back in the 1970s, my two brothers and I took piano lessons for approximately three years. Our piano teacher would write down the chords on the sheet music, but I could never figure out how she knew the exact keys which made up each chord. NOW I KNOW HOW SHE DID IT! She used the Circle of Fifths. Thank you for your insightful You tube video!

[merrillfung]

When I was a kid, I remembered it using
Order of flats: Fat Boy Eat All Day
Order of sharps: Go Down And Eat Breakfast

[MANDVM]

I was looking for a Circle of Fifths tutorial, and found this one. I was a bit confused for a moment, as I couldn't remember recording this. :) Excellent and thorough explanation - thanks!

[rickgebhardt]

After I drink a fifth I usually drive in circles. Same thing right?

[Blues_Rules]

This is like a gate to the new world of music for people like me play guitar as a hobby without having music theory.
Appreciate for posting this.

[DXRXNGXD]

*Caroline got arrested at **2:22** in the background*