Music theory

Circle of fifths for Guitar: hear keys and build progressions

See key relationships, read signatures, and practice diatonic chords on your guitar. Start exploring now.

Selected keyRelative keyNeighbor keys

ChordChord family

Diatonic chords

The full chord set built from the selected key and chord family.

Primary chords

I, IV, and V chords that anchor harmony and most progressions.

Popular progressions

Ready-to-play sequences built from the key's diatonic chords.

Diatonic 7th chords

Color-rich seventh chords derived from the same key.

Circle of fifths guide

This interactive circle of fifths tool explains how keys relate and what chords belong to them. Choose a key, see its signature (sharps/flats), and hear the scale, chord, or arpeggio on your guitar while the diagram highlights the closest tonal neighbors.

How to read the circle

The outer ring lists major keys and the inner ring lists their relative minors. The signature label shows how many sharps or flats each key uses, and adjacent keys share the most notes.

Outer ring = major keys; inner ring = relative minor keys in the same slice.
Clockwise adds sharps, counter‑clockwise adds flats.
Neighbor keys are one fifth apart and usually sound the most compatible.

What are diatonic chords?

Diatonic chords are built only from the notes of the selected scale, so they sound naturally compatible. In the panel you can switch chord families (triads, 7ths, 6ths, 9ths, etc.) and see how the diatonic set changes.

In major keys the primary chords are I–IV–V.
In minor keys you hear the relative minor's chord family.
Popular progressions are grouped so you can practice them quickly.

A practical routine

Pick a key and spelling. Select a key and choose # or ♭ so the labels match real-world notation.
Play and follow. Use Play to hear the chord family and follow the highlights on the circle.
Loop with tempo. Enable loop, set a tempo, and repeat a progression until your ear locks into the key.
Try neighbor keys. Move to adjacent keys and compare how the chord family shifts.

Circle of fifths for Guitar: keys, signatures, chords, progressions

Use the circle of fifths to understand how keys relate, which sharps or flats belong to each signature, and which diatonic chords sound natural together. This interactive tool lets you choose a key, hear the scale and chord family on your guitar, and practice common progressions with loop and tempo controls for real-world playing.

How to use it

Select a key. Pick a major or minor key to highlight its notes, chord family, and signature on the circle.
Choose the spelling. Use the #/♭ switch so the key signature and note names match standard notation.
Listen to the harmony. Play the chord family and hear how the selected key sounds on your {{instrument}}.
Practice progressions. Use the progression section to rehearse common patterns and build fluency.
Explore nearby keys. Move to adjacent keys to understand smooth modulations and song-friendly transitions.

Why the circle helps

See the closest keys and shared notes at a glance.
Learn key signatures and the correct #/♭ spelling used by musicians.
Explore diatonic chord families across triads, 7ths, 6ths, and extensions.
Practice I–IV–V and ii–V–I progressions with realistic instrument audio.
Train your ear with tempo control, looping, and quick key changes.
Compare major keys with their relative minors to hear the tonal color shift.

Circle of fifths questions: keys, signatures, progressions

What is the circle of fifths used for?

It organizes keys by perfect fifths so you can see which keys are closest, which notes they share, and how to move between them in songs.

How do I read the sharps or flats?

The signature label shows how many sharps or flats a key contains; clockwise adds sharps and counter‑clockwise adds flats.

What is a relative minor?

A relative minor shares the same key signature as its major key; it appears on the inner ring in the same slice.

What are diatonic chords?

Diatonic chords are built only from the notes of the selected scale, so they sound naturally compatible within that key.

How can I build chord progressions?

Start with primary chords (I–IV–V), then add ii or vi for smoother motion, or use ii–V–I for jazz-style resolution.

Can I practice with sound on this page?

Yes. Use the Play button and tempo/loop controls to hear the chord family and repeat progressions on your {{instrument}}.