Circle of 4ths – Overview The Circle of Fourths is a sequence of 12 notes or chords that are separated by a 5 half steps or a “4th.” Much of Western music is based on chord progressions along the Circle of Fourths. Definitions # of notes in music = 12 notes, repeated in “octaves” A “half step” is the smallest interval in music. Two adjacent notes are said to be a half step apart A “4th” is an interval that’s equivalent to 5 half steps. 4th Bb
A
4th
4th Eb
B C D
4th Db
Ab
E
F
G A B
4th
4th
4th
Gb
C D 4th
E
F G
A B C
4th
D E
4th
F
G A B
4th
4th
Memorize the sequence! B E A D G C F Bb Eb Ab Db Gb 4ths Progression or “Circle of Fourths”
(5ths Progression or “Circle of 5ths”)
4th G
4th E
A
F
Bb
G
C
5
A
D
6
000
7
B
E
Db
Gb
Eb
Ab
F#, C#
C
1 F#, C#, G#
A
D
F#
G
E
F#, C#, G#, D#
3
C Chord Root or Key
B F#, C#, G#, D#, A#
F
4
Bb
Bb
Gb Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb, Cb
2
Db
Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb
Ab
Eb
Bb, Eb
9 10
Bb, Eb, Ab Bb, Eb, Ab, Db
8
11
1