Circle of Fifth/Fourth

This is absolutely one of the most important foundation in music theory. By knowing Circle of fifth (some also call it with circle of fourth), we will understand few things.....


1. Clock wise...

We know that That G Has 1 Sharp(#) on its Scale... D has 2 sharps on its scale.
It is easy to find out actually. The Formula is this

Count 5 steps from C, and we will get G, and the notes are G A B C D E F G. Add # to the last note before G. The notes become G A B C D E F# G. So that's the G Major Scale.

Next Scale would be 5 Steps from G, and we get D Notes. The notes are D E F# G A B C# D.
F# we get from the previous Scale and C# is the formula.

5 steps from D would be A, and the notes are A B C# D E F# G# A.

C D E F G A B C Neutral
G A B C D E F# G 1 Sharp
D E F# G A B C# D 2 Sharp
A B C# D E F# G# A 3 Sharp
E F# G# A B C# D# E 4 Sharp
B C# D# E F# G# A# B 5 Sharp
F# G# A# B C# D# E# F# 6 Sharp
C# D# E# F# G# A# B# C# 7 Sharp

In case you confuse about E# and F. They are the same notes, and 1 notes with more than one name called enharmonic. Why it call E# instead of F? becuase in music theory, we call name according to formula.

2. Counter Clock Wise ( Circle of Fourth)
By looking the circle Counter Clock Wise, we could see another scale, and start with F. Why F, because it is 4 steps after C.

F G A B C D E F, and put b(flat) symbol and the fourth note, in this case would be Bb.

Next note are 4 notes after F, the Bb, and dont forget to alse put b(flat) symbol ont the fourt note Bb C D Eb F G A Bb

The whole would be....

F G A Bb C D E F
Bb C D Eb F G A Bb
Eb F G Ab Bb C D Eb
Ab Bb C Db Eb F G Ab
Db Eb F Gb Ab Bb C Db
Gb Ab Bb Cb Db Eb F Gb


Fyi, Gb actually same with F# scale, but in music theory, it is Wrong if you write Gb Scale by using notes on F# scale, even though they are same in sound.

3. Relative minor
From the circle wi know that efery major scale has it's own minor relative. such G major scale is has E minor as relative minor. etc etc

4. On Staff
We know how to writed 1 sharp Scale untill 7# scale on our Staff.

Cool and tricky delay lesson

Tapping Steve Vai and John Petrucci Style

Actually, Eddie Van Hallen has already use this lick. Just an Idea from their tapping lick...Please enjoy.

Major Scale Formula

Major Scale is the most common scale (besides minor scale of course) in any music composition, from Brit to jaz, from ethnic to country. Here I give the formula of major Scale.

I give C Major as example, because there are no sharp(#) and Flat(b) on this scale. It's a natural major scale.

So, thats the formula for major Scale.

As we see, the interval is W - W - H - W - W - W - H

Harmonic Minor

Harmonic minor could be one of the most dramatic scale on earth :). Since this scale is not "common" scale, so it also need special case to use it for your improvisation.

But, trust me, this is a very nice scale... you can easily feel the exotic and dramatic taste.

Ok, this is the Scale for Harmonic Minor

1 2 3b 4 5 6b 7 1

For A Harmonic minor, the notes become

A B C D E F G# A

Here the scale.

Harmonic Minor Scale Harmony with 7ths

Modes and Creation Chord are below
1) Aeolian #7 - A B C D E F G# - AmMaj7(b6)
2) Locrian #6 - B C D E F G# A - Bm7b5/Bdim7
3) Ionian #5 - C D E F G# A B - Cmaj7#5
4) Dorian #4 - D E F G# A B C - Dm7(#11)
5) Phrygian #3 - E F G# A B C D - E7(b9,b13)
6) Lydian #2 - F G# A B C D E - Fmaj7(#9)
7) Mixolydian #1 - G# A B C D E F - G#dim7


Ok Here we go... we are goin to master all notes in our fretboard... the only way is to learn and practice... but I stongly recommend you to learn this way....

1st Modes - Aeolian #7

If we put fill to fretboard in all strings, it's like this

2nd Modes - Locrian #6

3rd Modes - Ionian #5

4th Modes - Dorian #4

5th Modes - Phrygian #3

6th Modes - Lydian #2


If we put fill to fretboard in all strings, it's like this

7th Modes - Mixolydian #1

If we see all chart for the fretboard, we got all notes all arround the neck.

For my Own Approach, no matter what they call the modes, to me it just a A harmonic minor... but in my head, I also know the name. Let Say Lydian #2, to me it just A Harmonic Minor with with F as the Root :)

To me, it far easier to remember. So... happy practice