Circle Of Fifths Tetrachord Method

Circle Of Fifths by Rockmaster

How to use the Circle Of Fifths – Tetrachord Method in chord changing

Circle Of Fifths Tetrachord Method by Rockmaster

Circle Of Fifths Ascending (Clockwise)

To play the Circle Of Fifths ascending, take any Major scale and split it into two tetrachords (Lower and Upper).

Starting with the bottom note of the lower tetrachord to the
bottom note of the upper tetrachord, alternate through the
notes in ascending order.

                  Lower Tetrachord      Upper Tetrachord
 
                  I    II  III   IV    V    VI   VII   I

                 Bb    C    D    Eb    F    G    A    Bb
   
Order of chords   1    3    5     7    2    4    6     8 

Inv/Pos           1    3    2     1    2    1    3     2 

Note/Finger       B    M    T     B    T    B    M     T
 
Position of the root of the chord 
 
B = Bottom (1st inv/pos chord)  

M = Middle (3rd inv/pos chord) 

T = Top    (2nd inv/pos chord)

Example in Bb

                  Bb    F    Cm    Gm    Dm    Adim    Eb    Bb

Tonic 1st pos/inv
 
Finger/Note Pos   B     T    M     B     T     M       B     T

Tonic 2nd pos/inv

Finger/Note Pos   T     M    B     T     M     B       T     M

Tonic 3rd pos/inv
   
Finger/Note Pos   M     B    T     M     B     T       M     B


Position of the root of the chord 
 
B = Bottom, M = Middle, T = Top

Play  Flashdance

Circle Of Fifths Descending (Counter-clockwise)

To play the Circle Of Fifths descending, take the Locrian scale and split it into two tetrachords (Lower and Upper).

Starting with the top note of the upper tetrachord to the top note of the lower tetrachord, alternate through the notes in descending order.

How to remember the descending Circle Of 5ths

BEAD  Get  Cash  For Bead  or

BEAD  Girl  Can’t  Find  Bead

                  Lower Tetrachord      Upper Tetrachord
 
                  I     II  III   IV    V    VI  VII   I

                  B     C    D     E    F    G    A    B
    
Order of chords   8     6    4     2    7    5    3    1 

Inv/Pos           1     3    2     1    2    1    3    2 

Note/Finger       B     M    T     B    T    B    M    T
 
Position of the root of the chord 
 
B = Bottom (1st inv/pos chord)  

M = Middle (3rd inv/pos chord) 

T = Top    (2nd inv/pos chord)

Example in Eb

                   Eb     F   G    Ab    Bb    C      D    Eb

Tonic 1st pos/inv
 
Finger/Note Pos    B     T    M     B    T     M      B     T

Tonic 2nd pos/inv

Finger/Note Pos    T     M    B     T    M     B      T     M

Tonic 3rd pos/inv   
 
Finger/Note Pos    M     B    T    M     B     T      M     B

Position of the root of the chord 
 
B = Bottom, M = Middle, T = Top

Play Ain’t Misbehavin‘

Songs that use Circle Of Fifths

Chord Changing Methods

Circle Of Fifths – Tetrachord Method by Rockmaster