Online theory. Why the circle of fourths is so important when learning major scales | Hear and Play Music Learning Center. Playing your major scales should be a part of your daily practice regimen. However, practicing them in a “circle of fourths” or “circle of fifths” pattern is even better. Let’s focus more on circle of fourths. If you type “circle of fourths” or “circle of fifths” in google, you can actually find a host of other examples. Notice that the keys go from: C >>> F >>> Bb >>> Eb and so forth. If this were a clock, C would be at 12 o’ clock. This is the optimal way to play your scales. Then play your F major scale all the way through (F G A Bb C D E F). Why the circle? Because music also happens to move in this same pattern (way beyond the scope of this article but I’ll touch on it a little bit).
But here’s another reason to use the circle. Because it lets you know how related the major keys are to each other. If one just looked at a piano, they’d assume that C and Db, for example, were related because of how close they appear to each other on the piano. The reality is that C and F are more related. Generic Map For Major Scales. Free Music Theory Worksheets! Material on this page is free.NEW! You can now consult an index of terms used in these worksheets.Also explore a page of worksheet extras: Worksheet Answers, Test Templates and Flash Presentations. Here are some testimonials from music teachers about these workbook chapters: I have been using your fantastic music theory sheets and PDF downloads to teach high school piano theory to 28 students per class, all of whom are at different levels of study and accomplishment. Your method is comprehensive and easily accessible to students of all ages.
What a great philanthropist and talented musician you are and it is indeed a pleasure to have discovered that I can thank you (in person) on Facebook ... Thanks again for all you do for music education. Iras L. I am excited about the way my students have received this material. Joyce T. Hi, I am a High School teacher in California and I found your Theory Website. Material on this page is free.NEW! Joyce T. Learning: eMusicTheory.com. Teoría - Music Theory Web. Chord Calculator. Harmonic Progressions | Learning and Loving Music Theory. Kelvin, You actually caught a mistake on the roman numerals! Thanks, I’ll have to fix that. The first and last chords of the progression are not 7th chords.
Somehow I inadvertently typed “I7″ on the first chord of all the major keys. (Notice that I didn’t do that for the minor keys.) In the classical tradition, for the sake of stability, the first and last chords of a circle-of-fifths progression are usually triads, not 7th chords. All of the other chords (other than the first and last) are 7th chords. Harmonic Sequences Part 2 In the jazz tradition all chords usually are 7ths, in which case the progression will start and end with 7th chords.
Thanks again for your interest and input. How to Read Music. Theta Music Trainer | Online Ear Training Games. Ricci Adams' Musictheory.net.