Circle Of Fifths in 14 minutes

[@keikorono3079]

0:54 1:33 Perfect cycle vs Diatonic 4:36 Major/minor 6:28 Diatonic examples 7:45 Advantages 8:55 Writing melodies 9:33 2-5-1 10:25 Use in jazz piano 12:20 Thinking beyond the cycle

[@gravitywell6350]

Kei. I'm sure you've gotten this dozens of times before, but at 9:33 it should read 2-5-1 that is ii-V-l. (not 2-4-1)

[@keikorono3079]

@@gravitywell6350 My Apologies, Thank you for pointing that out!

[@jazztutorial]

Chris, this means so much to me, one of the nicest comments ever. I have been putting more and more thought into the planning of my lessons and it means a lot that you noticed.

[@MrSlimfinger]

Your youtube channel is such a superb resource of information Julian! I'm purely a guitarist, but the way you explain all these concepts are worth gold to any musician, regardless of instrument. Thanks a lot, I'll probably go through all your videos when I've got the time!

[@jazztutorial]

Thanks so much! Really pleased to hear this, piano makes it easy to demonstrate things visually, but my hope is that all instruments will benefit. Really pleased you've found them helpful!

[@alejandrolucino4021]

I Fully agree+ you are a great teacher Julian. thanks for it

[@ineskatrin_music]

after so many years of music school, never learned so much about jazz sounds like in your videos, music teachers should see this!

[@DoctorJezz]

This is without doubt the best practical explanation of the circle of fifths/ii V I progression (without reference to the diagrams and key sigs) that I have yet seen or heard. A genuine shortcut to a deeper understanding especially given your explanation of major/minor and diatonic vs perfect applications and practical composition. Heartfelt thanks! :)

[@ToyeJohnson]

"Good God man" that was the most complete circle of 5ths tutorial I've ever witnessed. I don't understand why no one else could explain it that way now. Mostly you broke it down clearly without running over and washing out what was just understood.Very much appreciated and looking forward to your videos.

[@jazztutorial]

Thanks so much Derek, I put a lot of thought into this one and it's nice to hear you learned a lot from it. I'm really trying to up the quality of these teaching videos now, got some good ones on the way too. Thanks again!

[@rexchidgey7911]

You are such a marvelous teacher Julian. Thank you.

[@blindsfitvince2443]

Agreed

[@nathanmartins5777]

Bravo, I finally found an accurate explanation of the CIRCLE OF FIFTHS (Diatonic) and why it cannot modulate outside it's respective key! So very few people understand that basic concept and insist on using the circle of fifths to find all accidentals (12 notes) and miss the whole point of chord movement or the function of that magic Diminished VII chord. Keep it up, great job…

[@dereknae39]

Very,very good lesson..I love what you"re doing...I,myself, would like to thank you for your knowledge and the good heart of sharing..May God bless you..I've been playing for over 30yrs. by ear and always wanted to learn the theory..I am learning and I thank you..

[@jazztutorial]

Great question - I can tell the B section is major because I look out for the repeating I chord, and sure enough there are two Gb major 7 chords in a row, preceded by a Db dominant 7 chord. It also makes sense (you can predict these things) because the A section was in Eb minor, and a logical choice if the composer wants to change to a major key is to go to the relative major, which is always a minor 3rd up from the minor key.That's a great idea to cover harmonic analysis. I'll do that for sure!

[@rjmadethis]

To be honest, you are simply the best...🎹 Very informative! Pardon me for just watching this after 8 years 😂

[@jazztutorial]

Exactly - that's exactly the sort of thing he's doing. He's taking the idea of a circle of 5ths progression, which the ear is familiar with. The strong bassline is still there as normal, playing the roots of circle of 5ths. But then he's shifting scales with each chord. For this kind of sound, try to shift the harmony with every chord. By 'harmony' I mean 'implied scale'. So each chord outlines a scale, Cm7 = C minor or C dorian, Cmaj7 = C major, etc. Try to build chords that shift the scale

[@josefinigo7100]

Excellence,creativity,simplicity,imagination,knowlegge,innovation,friendlyness ,make your teaching videos #1 ranking in jazz . Cheers and congratulations for your GREAT WORK!!!

[@jazztutorial]

Haha thanks Toye! I don't like leaving things out - if I'm going to cover something, I want to make the definitive explanation, in one organized video. Really pleased this one helped you - my recommended videos to follow this are called: - Church modes - Jazz Scales - Altered Scale All should show up on a youtube search.

[@Songwirer]

Dear Julian. So many times one has been lectured about the circle of 5ths, but none as clear, direct, explicative and fun as this. As usual. Thanks is not enough.

[@jazztutorial]

Great example! Yes, 'I will survive''. I had a mind blank while trying to think of a pop music example to include, and had to settle for Shakira. But the older pop songs used cycle of 5ths a lot more, I know there are plenty of Beatles songs that use it

[@southernexposure123]

I wondered about that for years. Finally you explained it in a way that's understandable.

[@javiertrevino5535]

this is EXCELENT. thank you so much. I am hardly a musician and I got it. I am just a passionate lifelong music fan who really wants to make his musical dreams come true ( I just write music on my computer) , and you've helped me a lot. Thanks Again. Cheers

[@jazztutorial]

Thanks Eduardo! I'm so pleased you enjoyed this lesson, and thanks for the comment. If you wanted some follow up material along these lines, you might also like my video on the modes The 7 CHURCH MODES: Dorian, Phrygian, Mixolydian, Lydian, & more!, and maybe my video on the 4 types of minor scale too: THE 4 TYPES OF MINOR SCALE Best wishes, Julian

[@jazztutorial]

Wow - thanks so much Jose. Really means a lot for me to receive heart felt comments like this one. I really appreciate it :)

[@jazztutorial]

Yes I chose those pieces carefully, trying to pick a piece from classical, jazz and pop music. My mind went blank on the pop tunes though so had to settle for Shakira! I love the take 5 though, that's why I picked it for the interlude music over the others

[@josefinigo7100]

Guitar player...Self instructed thru GREAT persons like you

[@andyracksthecams]

At last I understand! Thank you Julian. I was confused but took a few seconds to listen to you properly then I saw it was the minor scale which you were working in so the intervals are dictated by that minor scale. Makes sense now. I think having watched your piece on modes actually made the penny drop or gave it a push at least. You have a brilliant personality and method in your teaching which works for me.

[@pianostudio]

Good lesson! .I also use as an example these songs: .Fly Me To The Moon, I Will Survive, Telkens Weer (Dutch by Willeke Alberti), De Dromen Zijn Bedrog (Dutch - Marco Borsato)

[@PutterLee]

That talking crotch explained circle of fifths better than any of my professors!

[@jazztutorial]

Thanks so much Chris, this means a lot. So glad you enjoyed this one! Got some great new ones in the pipeline too, just finishing the editing

[@gibbonschip]

In the years of piano lessons I took, I saw the chart with the circle of fifths for learning key signatures but nobody ever explained this. What a rich sound! Thanks. I'll have to come back and study this some more.

[@jazztutorial]

Exactly - I'm not at my piano but here's what I might try. For that vi - ii - v - i in C. Play A minor 9, D minor 9, G7alt, Cminor 9 To start with I'm making the minor 7 chords minor 9's. Those will give you part of the Neo Soul sound you're after. I use major, minor, dom chords that are outside the C minor scale, although the bass notes stay in. And then I really change the scale when I throw in the altered chord. Did you see my video on the altered scale? That one will also be relevant.

[@jazztutorial]

I agree, it's not as strong in the major key. The 'Take 5' A section is in Eb minor. Then the B section goes to the relative major of Eb minor, which is Gb major, and it goes through a cycle of 5ths in Gb major - so all major for the B section, no switching between major or minor. Hope that makes sense!

[@maxwaterz]

My oh my, what a great instructional video! I thought I understood the circle of fifths, but now I actually understand the circle of fifths. Thank you from North Carolina (USA).

[@noelwalterso2]

Spotting circle of fiths songs is a bit of a hobby of mine. Recent discoveries include Early In The Morning by Vanity Fare, Stranger in Paradise, Perfect Day and Fly Me To The Moon

[@Zulwind]

every song uses the circle of fifths... Its literally the base of everything music...

[@jazztutorial]

Thank you so much Jose! This makes me so happy to hear. Really pleased you liked this one. Got some more like this I'm just editing now

[@jazztutorial]

You're right - that's a lovely chord progression, and the chords you list are mostly in Bb minor (the altered chords come out of scale). So if you want it in C minor, just transpose all of those chords up a whole step. That will give you Dm9 - G7alt - Cm9 - F7alt. (F7alt is another way of saying F7 #5 #9 pretty much). And you're welcome, glad this helps you out, anytime!

[@jazztutorial]

Sure - you could play the V chord as minor - G minor, if that's the sound you're going for. But if you want a strong resolution to signify the end of the circle of fifths, the dominant 7 has a stronger resolution.

[@TheKillercrocful]

my jazz hero :D no one would ever do this for free ,but you did ,i owe you so much :')

[@jazztutorial]

You're welcome Christophe! I love hearing the word 'inspiring'.

[@therealhotwatertunes]

I really love Take Five in your voice. The original is still the best but it's nice to hear someone else put their character in it.

[@PawelWalentynski1]

Finally a video where the chords are played! Thank you!

[@jazztutorial]

You're very welcome Yaroslav, very pleased to hear this, thank you :)

[@DoctorJezz]

Perfect day, Lou Reed (in answer to more compositions using the cycle of fifths). This is THE vid I come back to repeatedly to drill the subtleties and variations of the cycle into my brain. Easily the best explanation and set of demonstrations I have seen. Bravo Julian.

[@jazztutorial]

Thanks Yessir! That means a lot, and I never thought of it like that. Glad these keep you from losing interest in the piano, I guess that's why a lot of people do drop playing at some point - they don't have someone opening new doors for them to explore. Well I have a large batch now of videos, posting once a week (Saturdays), so there should be plenty of concepts for you to try out! Thanks again so much, Julian

[@EricDavisMusic]

I LOVE your videos. But I also love Paul Desmond. The guy who wrote Take Five. Seriously though, your videos are awesome. You should remember to market these videos to all instrumentalist, not just pianists. Because I am a guitar player, but most of us think of harmony on the keyboard anyway.

[@jazztutorial]

Thanks Matt - yes you can go up in 5ths - this is actually called a circle of 4ths, because you're going down a 4th (Going up a 5th gives you the same chord as going down a 4th). Circle of 4ths chord progressions are less common, but you will probably be reminded of some pop songs when you play a circle of 4ths at your instrument: Cm - Gm - Dm - Ab - Eb - Bb - Fm - Cm

[@jazztutorial]

Thanks Zsigmond, so glad to hear you liked this one!!

[@tromboneJTS]

a clear and concise video with beautiful examples. you must have put a lot effort into making it.

[@DerekAllenReed]

I mostly play guitar but this still helped me understand a lot more about jazz. I am still connecting the dots. Thanks!

[@jazztutorial]

I know the feeling... that's inspiration! So glad to read this - thank you for posting.I don't know how I'd make things clear without adding the chords in text underneath. Glad you noticed! Not sure if I covered it in the video, but you can also make every chord in the cycle a dominant 7 chord.

[@Yessir1801]

Thank you sooo much for all this free information. #1 Reason why i never get bored of playing the piano: So much to learn and soo entertaining!!!. Could you play Take Five...all of it and post a tutorial on it? I love the way you play it!!!!!!!!!!!

[@jazztutorial]

Thanks KR - this means a lot for me to hear. Glad these videos help you!

[@jazztutorial]

Hey PlanBeatz, listened to the video. He's correct when he says that he is not playing in one key - however when he says 'it's about playing in modes' - that's not what he means. That makes it sound like all the chords he's playing are from one single mode (scale), but pretty much each chord he plays is outlining a different scale. He's moving some of those chord voicings in parallel - sounded like minor 9's to me. But then I heard some major chords which means they weren't all moved in parallel

[@jazztutorial]

Thanks Montana! This means a lot for me to hear, I never expected this video to be so popular! Glad it helped you :)

[@JordanHc2333]

really enjoyed your video my dad plays wind instruments and he loved your videos i play guitar. you explain everything so well and its not dificult to understand..

[@jazztutorial]

Thanks for the question, the intro tune is one of my compositions called 'Venice Beach in Winter'. The sheet music is in my ebook at the JazzHeroBooks website. It basically uses Kenny Barron voicings for minor 11 chords, which I talk about in a video called 'SWEET JAZZ PIANO CHORDS'

[@slavikf1]

this is an awesome lesson, one that makes you think and discover things by yourself with a piano, pencil and the brain. Thank you for your contribution!

[@jazztutorial]

Thank you LKMUCHIK! I appreciate the comment, really nice to hear from you!

[@jazztutorial]

Absolutely, thanks for the comment, glad you liked this one!

[@TheVleckChannel]

Yep, this is the one and only video - or indeed anything - to make me understand the use of the cycle of fifths. Perfectly organised and informative. Thanks!

[@jazztutorial]

Love reading this comment - thanks so much I'm really pleased this was for you!

[@jazztutorial]

Excellent question - I know what you mean - the verse of 'Hotel California' has a similar sound to the circle of 5ths, but it's actually closer to a circle of 4ths. I think it goes something like Am - E - G - D - F - C - Dm - E So you can see those resolutions down a 4th keep coming up. Kind of like doing a circle of 5ths backwards.

[@johngardiner7537]

I have just started to re-learn the guitar after 30 years. I am trying to absorb as much theory as possible. Thanks

[@geronimo2764]

Really good tutorials Julian. I am a studied classical german pianist and trying to start first steps into Jazz. Improvising is not new for me, cause I´m playing since 30 years in bands. But the way how you explaign it is very good ! Compliments !

[@Cloud9TNdotCOM]

Thanks so much for taking the time to share your expertise!!

[@jazztutorial]

Thanks Yesha! So glad this one helped you!

[@ZionDice26]

Hey man this is awesome!!!! It has helped me understand much better of how to work the circle of fifths. Thank you so much for taking the time out!!! This alone takes weeks in music school and I learned in 30 mins. Thanx bro!!!

[@jazztutorial]

Hi Johnny, yes - this applies to all instruments. This is music theory, which applies to all instruments. I just use piano because you can see everything clearly on the piano.

[@educostanzo]

Only video I found on YT that mentions (and explains) the diatonic cycle. Dense in information but I understand it's meant to be watched over and over, great lesson!

[@lounicksic]

Thank you soooooo much for this wonderful (mathematical) explanation of the circle of fifths. By far the best I've seen. I've put this in my favorites and will dissect it many times until I fully understand it... God Bless

[@jazztutorial]

You're welcome! Really pleased you got a lot from this one, I crammed in a lot of information so what it as many times as you need

[@jazztutorial]

Thanks Pablo, means a lot! Maybe one day I'll get organized and put these on a DVD for people who want it. Got some good ones I'll be posting in the next few weeks too

[@blindsfitvince2443]

You are a very good teacher. You don't complicate things.

[@marcoj4388]

I wish u make a full version of "take five" I really do ..you played it very well

[@jazztutorial]

It does, I almost used that one to demonstrate. Virtual Insanity uses a 7 bar phrase too so the i chord doesn't need to repeat

[@MyMusicPod]

Good lesson, u give great tips, and cover important topics, not mumbo jumbo.... Thnx man

[@Vladimuffin]

thank you for sharing. it's very overwhelming learning music theory by yourself

[@jazztutorial]

20th century and beyond = most music is still in the major / minor scales (diatonic). But some classical composers started going off into 'post-tonal' music, atonal music, and serialism - composers like Shoenberg & Bartok - they started labelling notes with numbers, and making music based on number patterns, rather than how the music sounds. Do a search for Shoenberg if you're interested in how this music sounds. I'm going to be covering this type of music soon, because it's really interesting.

[@jazztutorial]

First I play a ii-V-I in C major - I use advanced voicings: Dm7 - D A C F. G dominant 7 - G F B E A. C major 7 - C B D E G. Then I play a ii-V-I in C minor: Dm7b5 - D Ab C F. G7altered - G B Eb F Bb (going to Ab). Cm7 - C Bb D Eb G. If you want to know about the altered chord - I did a video on the altered scale / chords (just take out the spaces): youtube . com/watch?v=K-V0k8D_Ojo I think you're using '+9' to mean 'added 9'. You only have to say '9', the '+' means #. Hope this answer helps!

[@smoothmann7381]

totally enjoyed...this extension stuff baffled me for a while...thank you

[@fitforsoccer000]

Something just went *click* and now I get it. Thanks so much. If you are open to suggestions, I'd like to see the analysis of Chopin's prelude in C minor Op. 28, #20. It's a very short piece with only 3 lines (two are identical), but it has so much going on. I'm obsessed with that piece, but I do realize this is a jazz channel, so no worries if you can't do that one. In the mean time, you have so many videos that I haven't seen yet, but that's about to change. Your channel is too awesome!

[@ElliottPiano]

You playing '' the lick'' was so funny to hear.I actually started laughing it's geniously introduced in the melody ! Thank you for all of this.

[@rolux4853]

I heard it also and had a good laugh! But im not sure if he meant it in a „funny“ way, because the licc wasn’t as memed out 5 years ago. Thanks Adam Neely I guess.

[@jazztutorial]

It's the B section from 'Take 5', by Dave Brubeck

[@jazztutorial]

Glad to hear this - that's my goal - to explain something once and for all.

[@lisbo7]

Dude!! you are a beast! so clear!! I will buy your lessons if you put them together!

[@jazztutorial]

You're welcome Shahid! I appreciate you telling me in a comment, really glad to help out!

[@jazztutorial]

You're welcome, thanks for saying so!

[@edthesaxplayer8450]

Thank you for this I am trying to under stand chord progressions from a sax players perspective in jazz I found this very helpful in my struggle to applying theory to my playing.

[@jazztutorial]

Thanks Daniel! Wow, love that you're watching from Colombia!

[@jeanounou]

I heard that circle of 5th progression in classic and classic inspired music, such as ''Rising Force'' by Yngwie Malmsteen and also some Rick Wakeman compositions such as ''Catherine of Aragon'', and I thought it was such a cool progression. I spent hours trying to decipher the chords, so I could transpose them in other keys for my convenience, but here you explain everything in such an easy and logical way!

[@improvementTime10.3.17]

12:08 By adding a 7th note in the chord, the chord becomes richer R-3-5-7 , to get a jazzier feel rather than just harmonic 1) play in the last 3-4 chords of cycle of fifths 6-2-5-1 2) change the 4th note of chord into maybe a sharp or flat 7 or maybe a 6 or 8 Ex) R-3-5-7b or R-3-5-8 This breaks the harmony a bit to give jazzy feeling

[@improvementTime10.3.17]

10:51 he adds not only 7 to the chords but also 9,11,13 So by changing these "extended notes" we can get a jazzy feeling outside of just harmony

[@messieguy3396]

thank you very much sir for your videos .each of them make me really learn a lot about jazz. you are an excellent teacher

[@jazztutorial]

Thank Muzik Man! Love your terminology! You're welcome

[@jazztutorial]

Thank you, I really appreciate it. I find if I put that bit of extra time into planning a video, it turns out so much better. You might like my video on 'Church modes' as well, it's similar to this one

[@jazztutorial]

Thanks so much Guiherme! So glad this helped!

[@fusion-music]

One of the best lessons out. Enjoyed the method.

[@marcosmcm86]

I Will Survive is another example of the diatonic cycle of fifhs in harmony. Great video by the way, I learned a lot.

[@danielandrespat]

great as in all your videos. Gracias from Colombia southamerica.

[@fpdecroly]

Wonderful lesson, thanks a lot. In a vi-ii-V-I progression, I use to play the vi chord as an altered VI 7#5#9 chord

[@TheHappyVagrant]

Thank you! I live in China, and there's no way I could get this kind of instruction over here. Your videos have really helped to clarify many musical concepts I've been reading about for years, but which I haven't been explicitly taught by a teacher... until now. Looking forward to your next post!

[@jazztutorial]

Thanks so much Quinn - this makes me so happy to read. I have big plans for this year, so strap in!

[@jazztutorial]

Thanks Xpirimint, really pleased you enjoyed this one. In my experience, both a good ear and an understanding of theory are really essential - but the ear training side is more challenging to learn, the theory I think is easy to grasp with the right teacher. I've got some good videos ready to upload I think you'll like. Thanks for the comment!

[@selladore]

Thank you, I've been thought about the cycle of fifths but now I finally understand its use and connection with II-V-I

[@jazztutorial]

I know what you mean with Take 5, there's enough to focus on with the key signature and 5/4. It's a nice example of a major key cycle of 5ths though for the B section

[@taylor914ce]

This stuff is pure gold man, thank you very much.

[@jazztutorial]

Glad to help Fasun, thanks for the comment!