Circle of Fifths
Understand keys and chord relationships with an interactive circle of fifths
Understand related keys, build diatonic progressions and find shared chords that can connect one key to another.
Key idea
Neighboring keys on the circle differ by a fifth between their tonics. Adjacent major keys share most of their notes, which makes the circle useful for understanding key signatures and finding paths between tonalities.
Try this first
Select C major and play C, F and G. These are its I, IV and V chords. Move to the neighboring key G major and compare the chords the two keys share before trying a progression.
How to get started
- Choose a key on the wheel.
- Listen to its diatonic chords and follow a progression.
- Compare nearby keys and look for shared chords.
Explore a little further
Try another experiment
Compare C major, G major and F major. Find the note that changes in each comparison, then listen to their shared chords. Which chord could connect two of these keys smoothly?
Good to know
The circle shows relationships between keys; it is not a rule that every composition must follow. Use listening alongside the diagram.
Public Lite tools share 20 free minutes a day, without an account. New accounts receive a 10-day full-access trial without a card. Paid access continues under the selected plan.
Compare access options →