Melody & Ear
Circle of Fifths
Tap the circle of fifths to hear key relationships, accidentals, and V-I movement. A visual way to understand keys, modulation, and progressions.
Melody & Ear
Circle of Fifths
Melody & Ear
Circle of Fifths
Tap the circle of fifths to hear key relationships, accidentals, and V-I movement. A visual way to understand keys, modulation, and progressions.
What is this tool?
The 12 keys arranged clockwise in ascending fifths (C→G→D…), so every neighbor shares almost all the same notes. Major keys are on the outside ring, minor keys on the inside.
When it helps
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Memorize sharps and flats per key
A key's position tells you how many accidentals it carries. Makes reading sheet music faster.
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Find natural modulation targets
Adjacent keys differ by only one accidental — the easiest places to modulate to.
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See a key's IV and V at a glance
Tap a key and its subdominant (IV) and dominant (V) light up in color. Great for composing chord progressions.
How to use
- 1 Tap any segment on the wheel to select that key. A chord plays.
- 2 Toggle Major / Minor to focus on the outer or inner ring.
- 3 Ⅰ (violet), Ⅳ (light blue), and Ⅴ (amber) light up to show the closest keys.
- 4 Use the bottom buttons to jump to that key's diatonic chords or scale.
- 5 Keys on opposite sides (e.g. C and F#) are the most distant relatives — compare their sound for fun.
Related Tools
Lessons that use this tool
The sections of the systematic curriculum where this actually comes up.
Learning courses that include this topic
Following the course in order gives you a structured foundation.