How does the Circle of Fifths work?

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Today I'll be explaining a little bit about the circle of fifths: what it is, how musicians use it in general, and specifically how harmonica players can use it to help with various things.
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[@Learntheharmonica]

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[@Learntheharmonica]

Thanks for watching! Remember to ‘Subscribe’ and click the bell to get all my free lessons :)

[@rocketgirllise]

Genius! You’re the only one that’s explained this in a way I understand! 🤓

[@Learntheharmonica]

Great to hear!

[@mikecosgrove5786]

Thanks Liam. As always your videos make the complicated easy. Thanks. Could you clarify something for me? Why isn’t harp notation standardized? I’ve been playing about a year and have a variety of books and get frustrated when some authors use arrows to indicate blow or draw while others use letters such as “2b” or some other notation. I can make the adjustment but it would be so simple if all harp music was the same. Help me understand?

[@Learntheharmonica]

Hi Mike, I'm glad you found the video useful. I think the circle of 5ths is such a useful tool once you take the 'fear factor' away. Tab has always been an informal and personal thing - if you think of all the people around the world over the years sitting at home trying to write down what they're hearing (assuming they don't write musical notation) it's inevitable that there would be different systems. The internet age has brought a bit more consensus but sadly the print industry has been slow to catch on. I used to use B and D but switched to positive and minus numbers a few years ago because I noticed that was the most common tab system online. There are still loads of different variations though. Sorry, that doesn't really explain anything but that's the way it is unfortunately haha! Cheers. Liam

[@gui1123321]

Great lesson Liam! Let me ask you a question. Can I play in a harmonica in the key of G, in the F major scale? If yes, what scale (position) it would be? Thanks.

[@Learntheharmonica]

Hi Guilherme, technically you can play any key of harmonica in any key you like, it's just really difficult for some positions. Playing a G harp in the key of F would be 10th position. Cheers. Liam

[@Scio3dsports]

Thanks. I always wondered about the circle of fifths.

[@Learntheharmonica]

No problem!

[@kab9603]

I still wonder. Duh for me

[@northernpeacock]

Very nice. I thought about this circle, positions and harmonicas, and I want to ask a question. As long as I can play any harmonica in position 1, position 2 (cross) and position 12, I possibly need a basic set of only 4 harmonicas to play in all keys? For example, C (F - C - G), A (D - A - E), F# (B - F# - Db) and Eb (Ab - Eb - Bb). Is it correct?

[@Learntheharmonica]

Yes that's correct, and well worked out! However, I do want to give this disclaimer (which may make things sound confusing or messy but it's important): the position you want to use is dependent on your ability and the style/chords of any given song. So although with those four harps you'd have one way of playing in each key, it won't give you an EASY way to play in all styles in all keys. For example, it's hard to play the minor scale in 1st position so if that's your only option then you'll find it very difficult. In theory you only need one diatonic harmonica to play in every key because it's possible to bend/overbend to fill in the missing notes, but in practice it's very difficult. The more keys you have, the easier it is to find a position that sounds good for any key and style.

[@samueljustin3711]

Hey amazing work you have there.......please make a video on harmonica lessons of the song 'the gunners dreams' by pink floyd

[@Learntheharmonica]

Hi Sam Justin, thanks for the suggestion, I'd love to do some Floyd lessons as I'm a big fan. Cheers. Liam

[@samueljustin3711]

@@Learntheharmonica I'm waiting here....🙂

[@ronsbeerreviewstools4361]

Liam, what key are the harmonicas the Beatles ( John Lennon ) use in their songs. ?

[@Learntheharmonica]

Hi Ron, it depends on the song. Any song in particular? Cheers! Liam

[@ronsbeerreviewstools4361]

@@Learntheharmonica Liam I found this guys channel, shows all Beatle song with different harmonicas. Thanks. kzbin.info/www/bejne/j6iyp2qsZtuhpdE

[@harleymichael281]

Liam there is a lot of confusion the fallowing point including myself. If the song is in the key of G that is the root note of the scale correct? Given diatonic harmonicas are most commonly Richter tuned and using this for the question. Playing a harp in tuned in the key of C (richter tuned) is 2 position because the 2 draw hole is a G and allows the player to play more draw notes and bends for a more bluesy sound while still being in key. Often referred to as cross harp or 2nd position. Correct? Conversely the circle of 5ths moving clockwise C to G. G is the 5th note in the scale and referred to as 2nd position? Would be please clarify between too concepts? Thank you

[@Learntheharmonica]

Hi Harley Michael, thanks for watching and commenting. Yes from C to G is an interval (distance) of a fifth, and moving up a fifth from the key of the harp gives you the key of the song for 2nd position. So from C to G, or from G to D, or from D to A. That's the beauty of the circle of fifths.

[@harleymichael281]

@@Learntheharmonica Liam thanks for reply. However what I am really asking is the following: If a song is being played in the Key of G then my understanding has always been that when someone says I am going to play it in cross harp (2nd position) they are going to grab there harp in the Key of C Because the hole draw 2 is the root note "G" of the scale. And the reason why they would choose this is because it is a much more bluesy sound then playing straight harp (or 1st position). Conversely again if the song is in the key of G would you also grab your harp in the key of D and call it cross harp (2nd position) as well? Or are you saying if you play with emphasis on the D note or scale on the harp in the key of G that too is also 2nd position?

[@michaelkral]

Hi Liam, great video but I wish you'd go deeper about relative minors

[@Learntheharmonica]

Maybe something for the future 😎

[@johnx9318]

That was difficult, and made more so by you removing the graphic.

[@Harp_and_Guitar_Moving_Forward]

😭

[@cyounesful]

Sorry, I learned Piano Solfege, I don't anderstand any of these ... probably I am too stupid

[@yevhendvyhun]

No you're not...

[@billychan4633]