How does the circle help with songwriting?

It puts related keys and chords beside one another so you can try a change with a clear harmonic reference. Use the displayed notes to check a melody and the roman numerals to move a progression between keys.

Should I use the circle or the transposer for a chart?

Use the circle to explore key relationships and chord choices. Use the chord transposer when you already have a chart and want its chord symbols rewritten in another key, with capo options.

The house tools · the circle

Interactive Circle of Fifths

“Every key knows its neighbors. Meet the family.”

Arrow keys move around the wheel · up/down switches major and minor · enter selects

Selected key

C major

No sharps or flats.

Major scale

C · D · E · F · G · A · B

Diatonic triads

ICCmaj7

iiDmDm7

iiiEmEm7

IVFFmaj7

VGG7

viAmAm7

vii°B°Bm7♭5

Small text below each chord is its diatonic 7th.

Neighbors

Relative

Parallel

Dominant (V)

Subdominant (IV)

Borrowed from the parallel minor

Fm
iv. Fm borrows the minor four from the parallel minor. It softens the pull home with an aching, wistful color, common in soul and pop right before landing back on I.
Bb
bVII. B♭ is a major triad on the flatted seventh. It skips the leading tone for a rock or modal cadence back to I, a staple of classic rock and folk.
Ab
bVI. A♭ sits a flatted sixth up. It drops in a shadowed, cinematic color, often sliding down to bVII on the way back home.
Eb
bIII. E♭ is a major triad on the flatted third. It can stand in for the relative major or act as a stepping stone toward bVI.

How to use

Quick start: Interactive Circle of Fifths

Select a key on the circle and read its key signature and scale notes. Compare the next key around the circle to see which note changes.
Use the diatonic chord list and roman numerals to build a short progression. Play I–IV–V in the selected major key, then find the same functions in another key.
Compare the relative and parallel keys. The relative key shares the key signature; the parallel key shares the tonic and changes the mode.
Explore a borrowed chord as a deliberate variation. Play the original progression first, replace one chord, and listen to how the arrival back at the tonic changes.

Questions

How does the circle help with songwriting?: It puts related keys and chords beside one another so you can try a change with a clear harmonic reference. Use the displayed notes to check a melody and the roman numerals to move a progression between keys.
Should I use the circle or the transposer for a chart?: Use the circle to explore key relationships and chord choices. Use the chord transposer when you already have a chart and want its chord symbols rewritten in another key, with capo options.

From the House Deck

The card that calls for the circle

Muse deals one constraint card a night from a 32-card deck, the same card for every musician. This one points straight at the circle.

WRONG CHORD FIRST WIRE · No. 11 / 32
Start the progression on the chord that doesn’t belong, then make the song forgive it.
Pick your key on the circle, then start the progression on one of its borrowed chords.

How the nightly card works · Tonight’s card

Bring it to the table

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