Songs that use the Circle of Fifths progression
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Published 2022-01-24
📌 In case you're wondering why there is a harsh cut in the middle of this video, it's because there was previously a sponsored segment there which was removed due to the sponsor ceasing trading.
The Circle of Fifths is one of the most important concepts for understanding music theory. Whether it's notes in a melody, key centers in a modulation or chords in a chord progression, the Circle of Fifths can shine some light onto why certain musical relationships sound more harmonious than others.
And, an extra special thanks goes to Douglas Lind, Vidad Flowers, Ivan Pang, Waylon Fairbanks, Jon Dye, Austin Russell, Christopher Ryan, Toot & Paul Peijzel, the channel’s Patreon saints! 😇
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0:00 the Circle of 5ths progression
1:43 why fifths?
5:50 anti-clockwise Vs clockwise
7:16 Light My Fire by The Doors
8:43 why not constant perfect 5ths?
14:18 Pa
All Comments (21)
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If you're thinking right now, "Isn't Am to Dm a perfect fourth, not a perfect fifth?"... well, I've made an extra addendum video to explain just that: https://youtu.be/PknOTF84_WQ 🎼
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playing all the chords in the circle of fifths feels like creating a dramatic climax that can never end
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Musicians never die they just decompose.
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The circle of 5ths is something I use a lot as a DJ. Knowing what key your tracks are in helps greatly when blending melodies.
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That change from F to Bdim always has a powerful pull on me in music!
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As a guitarist that has played by ear quite well for over two decades. I would like to say, I have learned more theory from your videos in the last few months than I have since playing. I know most of what you cover, but I have never been able to put a name on what I was intuitively doing by ear. I have watched other videos but you put things in the most digestible way. If the student has not learned, then the teacher has not taught anything. Thank you and keep up the great work. You are doing great!
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The pre-existing song that you couldn't find that uses the entire circle is indeed Yes's "Awaken". Please check it out. And no, Rick Wakeman and co. didn't lose track of their tonal centre at all. But it is meant to be a forever-ascending sequence, so the feel is indeed as you say.
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Also note that the diminished fifth is exactly 180 degrees opposite the chord it came from -- much like the complimentary colour on a colour wheel. That's why it doesn't sound dissonant, but instead provides a moment of tension which can then naturally resolve through the momentum along the rest of the circle.
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I took guitar and banjo lessons for over a decade and nobody ever explained it like this. I also took music theory for 1 quarter in high school and HATED it. You have a gift.
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I have to say it because it’s incredible, the circle of fifth works exactly like a chromatic circle, the way colors fit together in a painting or any visual artwork. Like three colors next to each others are going to look good because they have a color in common (like orange contains both red and yellow so those three colors fit well), and two colors at the opposite of this circle create a contrast that makes them look good as well when together.
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Dave Brubeck’s “In Your Own Sweet Way” takes the circle of fifths all the way from A to B, omitting just the final E that leads back to A. They’re all 7th chords: A7-D7-G7-C7-F7-Bb7-Eb7-Ab7-Db7-Gb7-B7. And it’s not an exercise. It’s a beautiful song.
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I've been dipping in and out of music theory for nearly 60 years and thought lockdown would give me a chance to focus on "getting" it. Well that failed, but today, your video has made the penny drop. Your clear presentation, and use of particular favourite songs has really helped move me on. Thank you so much.
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Been struggling with bass for over 40 years, found YouTube videos on the circle of fifths only recently but none are as good as this as far as demonstrating it to a music/tab/cord illiterate. I knew I liked playing hey Joe tho, now I know why and also why I like the Beatles medley so much. Thank you for explaining it in such an easy to understand way, now I might get somewhere.
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Wouldn't be a David Bennett video without a Beatles example. You Never Give Me Your Money is one of my favorite Beatles' songs. Everything from the Abbey Road B side is just a freakin' masterpiece.
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Been playing music for 20 years. I thought the circle of 5ths was a method for remembering your sharps and flats. I didn’t realize you could play it. And I have played three of those songs he mentioned.
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The 2nd guitar solo on “A man I’ll never be” from Boston’s 2nd album goes through a full round of the circle of fifths and resolves back into its key. It’s beautiful.
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FINALLY! I understand WHY and not just HOW!! Thanks David! You are an exemplary instructor!
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An endless circle of fifths felt to me like the harmonic equivalent of a Shepard Tone! :D
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6:52 I actually love the C to E transition. Sounds like something Philip Glass would do
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The verse of Burt Bacharach / Christopher Cross’s “Arthur’s Theme” uses the circle of fifths progression, but with a twist—there is a Bb major chord instead of a B diminished. The resulting progression has a bit of an Aeolian sound, but retains a satisfying turnaround to the starting point
