Interactive circle of fifths: keys that make sense

The circle of fifths arranges keys by their musical relationships. Use it to connect a key signature to the chords and notes you actually play, rather than memorising a wheel in isolation.

Read neighbouring keys

From C, moving through G, D, A and E adds one sharp at each step. Moving the other way through F, B-flat, E-flat and A-flat adds one flat at each step. Neighbouring keys therefore share most of their notes.

Find the relative minor

C major and A minor share a key signature with no sharps or flats. G major and E minor share one sharp. A shared key signature does not mean the music has the same tonal centre: listen for the note that feels like home.

Turn the diagram into chords

In C major, play C–F–G–C. Then try G–C–D–G in G major. These are I–IV–V–I progressions in different keys. Hearing them makes the relationship more useful than learning the chord names alone.

One small practice task

Choose a familiar key, name its relative minor, and play a short progression. Keep the rhythm simple enough to listen to the harmony. Use the chord and scale tools when you want to inspect the notes more closely.