Using the Circle of Fifths on Piano - Music Theory
TLDRThe video explains how to utilize the circle of fifths to smoothly modulate between different musical keys when improvising or composing. It provides a simple mechanism for moving up or down by fifths, using pivot chords and dominant sevenths to transition from one key to the next. Musician Gareth Green demonstrates how to progress through the circle of fifths by adding sharps or flats. This allows musicians to change keys at will when soloing or writing music, rather than getting stuck in one key.
Takeaways
- 😀 The circle of fifths shows the relationships between major and minor keys, as well as the sharps and flats in each key.
- 👍🏻 You can use the circle of fifths to smoothly modulate between different keys when improvising or composing.
- 🎹 Moving counterclockwise adds a flat each time, moving clockwise adds a sharp each time.
- 🎵 Use the I chord in the old key as a pivot chord to the IV chord in the new key when modulating up by fifths.
- 🎻 Use the I chord in the old key as a dominant 7th in the new key when modulating down by fifths.
- 🎤 You can modulate through multiple keys at once using this circle of fifths technique.
- 🎧 Decorating the chord changes makes modulations sound more musical.
- 🎼 Understanding modulation empowers musicians to move between different keys.
- 🎹 The circle of fifths provides a straightforward mechanism for planning and executing modulations.
- 🎵 Music theory knowledge helps strengthen improvisation, composition, analysis, and aural skills.
Q & A
What is the circle of fifths and why is it useful for musicians?
-The circle of fifths shows the relationships between major and minor keys. It's useful for musicians because you can see how keys are related by fifths, with each key having more sharps or flats as you go clockwise or counter-clockwise around the circle.
What happens when you move one key to the right on the circle of fifths?
-When you move one key to the right on the circle of fifths, you gain one sharp. For example, moving from C major to G major requires adding an F sharp.
How can you use the circle of fifths to modulate or change keys when improvising or composing?
-You can use pivot chords and dominant sevenths to smoothly transition between keys using the circle of fifths. For example, the I chord in one key can be the IV chord in the key a fifth above, allowing you to pivot between the two keys.
What is an example of a progression for modulating down by fifths on the circle of fifths?
-An example is: C major, C7, F major, F7, Bb major. So you start on the I chord, make it a V7, and resolve to the I chord of the key a fifth below.
What is the advantage of using dominant sevenths when modulating between keys?
-The dominant sevenths create a strong pull to the new key through the tritone which wants to resolve. This helps establish the new key.
How can you modulate up by fifths on the circle of fifths?
-You can use the I chord of the current key as the IV chord of the key a fifth above. Then move to the V7 and resolve to the I chord in the new key. For example, C major, D7, G major.
What are some ways to make modulations between keys sound more musical?
-You can decorate the chords with arpeggios, passing tones, neighbor tones, etc. You can also spend time improvising in each key before modulating to help establish the key.
What are some other ways besides the circle of fifths that you can modulate between keys?
-You can use common chords between keys, like the V or vi chords. You can also modulate through chromatic mediants or common tone modulations. There are many possibilities beyond the circle of fifths.
What resources on the website could help improve music theory knowledge and aural skills?
-The website offers courses to help improve music theory knowledge and aural skills. In particular, the music theory and ear training courses could help strengthen these fundamental skills for musicians.
What are some benefits of joining the Music Matters Maestros community?
-Benefits include connecting with other musicians, access to livestreams for teaching and feedback, and perks like free sheet music and educational resources. Higher levels provide more access and benefits.
Outlines
😀 Introducing how to use the circle of fifths to change keys when improvising or composing
The first paragraph introduces the video topic of using the circle of fifths to change keys smoothly when improvising or composing music. It gives a brief overview of the circle of fifths and notes that it can be a useful tool for musicians to see relationships between major and minor keys and their key signatures.
😊 Demonstrating how to move down by fifths from C major through the flat keys
The second paragraph demonstrates how to use the circle of fifths to move down by fifths from C major through the flat keys, adding one flat at a time. It explains the process of taking the I chord in one key, making it the V7 in the next key to the left, and resolving to the I chord in that new key.
😎 Demonstrating how to move up by fifths from C major through the sharp keys
The third paragraph demonstrates the process for moving up by fifths through the sharp keys on the circle of fifths, starting from C major. It explains how to use the I chord of one key as the IV chord in the next key up a fifth, followed by V7 and I in that new key.
🙂 Conclusion - recap and overview of using the circle of fifths to change keys
The fourth paragraph concludes by recapping how the circle of fifths provides a useful mechanism for smoothly changing keys in either direction when improvising or composing music. It notes that this is just one way to use the circle and suggests exploring more resources on the website for empowering overall musicianship.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Circle of Fifths
💡Key
💡Improvisation
💡Modulation
💡Pivot Chord
💡Dominant Seventh
💡Tonic Chord
💡Accidental
💡Voice Leading
💡Tritone
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Transcripts
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