The Circle of Fifths vs Fourths

The circle of fifths and the circle of fourth are one and the same. It just depends which one is going up or down, clockwise or counterclockwise. It's simple but can also be pretty confusing, like time zones or quick maths. Hopefully this video will help smooth out any confusion, or at least put you on the path to understanding.

0:00 - Introduction
1:00 - Review of how the circle is built
1:44 - The part where people get confused
2:33 - The part we agree on and the part we don't
3:36 - How fourths show up on the circle (inversions)
4:36 - It gets worse. The Bizarro Mirror Universe Circle
5:39 - Storytime

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This video contains emojis that were designed by OpenMoji – the open-source emoji and icon project. License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Special thanks to OpenMoji!

[BradHarrison]

Take private lessons online with me! Trumpet, brass, theory, composition & arranging, improvisation, or whatever musical/life coaching you’d like to work on. More information at www.bradharrison.ca/lessons

[DonnaPatterson-fytz]

One simple sentence helped me understand.... "It depends on where you're going" whether it's up or down. Now I get it. Thx a million.

[a.e.m.]

Protect this man at all costs

Thank you for your work, very illuminating. As a guitarist this really helped the concept of 4ths & 5ths as being inversions of each other click (which I observed across the fretboard, but didn't have fully sink in.)
The more I delve into music theory, the more 'Non-Dualist' it seems.

[timinglismusic]

I was wondering about the fourths in the other video, but this explanation makes perfect sense. Thanks mate!

[rcfixitall]

I started out on my piano (and Music Theory) journey about 4 months ago, and found many helpful videos out there. However, "your" videos are, in my opinion, and "for me", the best videos in existence..period.
From the "educational aspect" to the excellent video production and "clever and intuitive use of graphics" to easily explain and visually model ideas and concepts, your ability to explain complex ideas in comprehensive and logical ways is truly remarkable! And all done with a great sense of humor overall.
I have learned so much so quickly, and guided by your insight, my piano playing and music theory understanding have improved immensely.

I have recommended your channel to numerous people, and will continue to do so.
Thank you again for bringing intelligent and truly valuable educational content to the masses.

Thank you!!!

[earhornjones]

Thank you! I've been a musician for decades, with passing familiarity with the Circle of Fifths, and some of its uses. I recently started an online theory course which used the bizarro Circle of Fourths, and I felt like my head was exploding, and that maybe I'd dreamed the whole Circle of Fifths lessons from High School band. This straightened me right out.

[PINTandDALE]

Clear and elegant explanation and visualization -- thank you!

[agyekumjoseph]

I was really confused but you've cleared all my doubts today... Thanks so much Sir❤

[Miko]

Thanks for elaborating. I thought it prudent to add my remark on your previous Circle of Fifths video and you have explained very clearly how the Circle of Fifths is also the Circle of Fourths.

[spreadkindnessyall]

2:21 The Dunning-Kruger effect at its best.

[nicolekruger]

Those chords going around the circle got me: "Oh, mamma mia, mamma mia Mamma mia, let me go"

[Adks]

I am mind blown with your video editing skills bro. Big fan of your work.❤❤
Thanks for the clarification.

[localbod]

"You may see either one in the wild ." 😂
A concise explanation.

[andrewboland]

You explained this well, cause I couldn't get my head around it. C ➡️ G is a fifth C, D, E, F, G (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) but G ➡️ C is a fourth G, A, B, C (1, 2, 3, 4) Someone is gonna say I'm wrong but that's how I make sense of it.

[AlisonSheills]

Thank you so much. I've found it difficult in the past to understand the fourths vs fifths on this circle and you've clarified it wonderfully. Great video.

[POLLOTROM]

Is Like going from Florida to California going West or Florida to California going East.

[vacidized]

5:56
Perfect!
It's all clear.. Brad thank you.

[ronthedon]

Gettem' right!

Edit: Short, sweet, and to the point. This is exactly why I'm Subscribed, you legend.

[hesdabear]

Thanks so much for finally clearing this up for me

[rcfixitall]

Outstanding explanation....as always, an amazingly enlightening and well created lesson