@@Heartwing37 Now that it's mentioned; We all remember ABC song (Twinkle Little Star). Imagine that after 1st grade, We were taught F-C-G-D-A-E-B then coming down w/B-E-A-D-G-C-F ! I think it could work.
Some pneumonic phrases to help remember it as well: Fat Cats Go Down Alley Endings Brawling BEAD Games Come First or Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles Father
This is absolutely brilliant. I finally understand the circle of fifths after many years. Any time I tried to work it out from a book, I could never understand it. For me, this has been the clearest explanation. Its a great feeling to finally understand some music theory. You've explained it extremely well, thank you for your help.
As a high school music teacher this is exactly the same way I came up with to teach this material to my students 20 years ago. I love that you are doing such a great job of sharing this online with so many musicians. I like to use use the Mnemonic, Father, Charles, Goes, Down, And, Ends, Battle, as it is a sort of palindrome as it reads, Battle, Ends, And, Down. Goes, Charles, Father as the order of flats. Two for the price of one. Keep up the great work.
You must have watched the same guy I did a while back on YT (or you're the one that came up with it in the first place). I just remember Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles Father. There is sort of a pattern on the fretboard using BEADGCF and this is one aid to learn the notes on the fretboard.
JESUS CHRIST died for you on a cross for our sins. 3 days after his death he resurrected and is The TRUE LIVING GOD. In a prayer repent from your sins and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and also ask for the HOLY SPIRIT to come into you in that same prayer as well. Have FAITH in CHRIST. You could come to Jesus Christ as you are, but once you accept Him, you have to become new, change, and be born again, and turn away from all wicked ways. Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. God Bless You. JESUS CHRIST IS COMING BACK SOON.
@@johnhewitt8784 JESUS CHRIST died for you on a cross for our sins. 3 days after his death he resurrected and is The TRUE LIVING GOD. In a prayer repent from your sins and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and also ask for the HOLY SPIRIT to come into you in that same prayer as well. Have FAITH in CHRIST. You could come to Jesus Christ as you are, but once you accept Him, you have to become new, change, and be born again, and turn away from all wicked ways. Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. God Bless You. JESUS CHRIST IS COMING BACK SOON.
@@rogerd9150 JESUS CHRIST died for you on a cross for our sins. 3 days after his death he resurrected and is The TRUE LIVING GOD. In a prayer repent from your sins and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and also ask for the HOLY SPIRIT to come into you in that same prayer as well. Have FAITH in CHRIST. You could come to Jesus Christ as you are, but once you accept Him, you have to become new, change, and be born again, and turn away from all wicked ways. Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. God Bless You. JESUS CHRIST IS COMING BACK SOON.
I've been playing very basic guitar since I was 12. I took formal guitar lessons at 48 from a teacher who really didn't want to work too hard. He basically wrote up song charts. My brother, who took lessons from a young age, told me about the circle of fifths. My guitar teacher never heard of it, or pretended that he hadn't. I've learned more on line in the last two months than I had in 8 years of "lessons". I understand the Circle of Fifths now thanks to you. You're very clear and to the point. I know a good teacher when I see one. I was a high school English teacher for 23 years. At 60, I feel like I finally know what I'm doing.
If you play guitar, than the circle of 5 is not so important, I think. Because on the guitar you play a Pattern and it's always the same pattern. You can play the C-Dur pattern starting on the 15th Thread and then you play G-Dur. You are using the F# note, but you don't have to know which note is the F# it is part of the pattern.
Wow, Charles, thank you so much for this incredible compliment and comment. It really means a lot, especially coming from a fellow teacher. I’m very sorry you had a lazy guitar teacher.. unfortunately they are out there. Keep up the great work, keep learning and playing and soaking in everything you can…. It’s limitless!
I'm a bass player that has never studied music. I have watched a few videos on the circle of 5ths and your video is the first one that makes sense. I realize that I have a lot to memorize, but at least now I feel that I will have success. Thank you for making this video. I believe it will be a huge aid in my growth and development. God bless you!
Join Guitar Tricks- I like it. Definitely study- get a good teacher. I did both ways- like you for years but I now realize how I really new nothing. I could still play just not very well. You will become a much better bass player.
JESUS CHRIST died for you on a cross for our sins. 3 days after his death he resurrected and is The TRUE LIVING GOD. In a prayer repent from your sins and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and also ask for the HOLY SPIRIT to come into you in that same prayer as well. Have FAITH in CHRIST. You could come to Jesus Christ as you are, but once you accept Him, you have to become new, change, and be born again, and turn away from all wicked ways. Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. God Bless You. JESUS CHRIST IS COMING BACK SOON.
@@MOAB-UT JESUS CHRIST died for you on a cross for our sins. 3 days after his death he resurrected and is The TRUE LIVING GOD. In a prayer repent from your sins and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and also ask for the HOLY SPIRIT to come into you in that same prayer as well. Have FAITH in CHRIST. You could come to Jesus Christ as you are, but once you accept Him, you have to become new, change, and be born again, and turn away from all wicked ways. Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. God Bless You. JESUS CHRIST IS COMING BACK SOON.
I have been playing guitar for a long time. However, there are a lot of gaps in my music theory. I have been checking out your videos. You have a teaching style that I can connect with. Excellent content Gracie.
you should ignore it unless it's jazz guitar. coordinating your ear with your fingers on the fretboard should be the goal of guitar players i think so that you can play whatever comes into your head
@@jgunther3398 There is a science to understanding methodology which will expedite your progress, though. For me, I learned scales first (aggressive music preference), but am actively studying chords more nowadays. When I play a shape, I know the theory of what makes a chord sharp or flat and which notes to sharpen or flatten based on the circle. This video really helped my self-guided learning experience and I'm back for another refresher. Cheers to you.
JESUS CHRIST died for you on a cross for our sins. 3 days after his death he resurrected and is The TRUE LIVING GOD. In a prayer repent from your sins and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and also ask for the HOLY SPIRIT to come into you in that same prayer as well. Have FAITH in CHRIST. You could come to Jesus Christ as you are, but once you accept Him, you have to become new, change, and be born again, and turn away from all wicked ways. Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. God Bless You. JESUS CHRIST IS COMING BACK SOON.
@@jgunther3398 JESUS CHRIST died for you on a cross for our sins. 3 days after his death he resurrected and is The TRUE LIVING GOD. In a prayer repent from your sins and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and also ask for the HOLY SPIRIT to come into you in that same prayer as well. Have FAITH in CHRIST. You could come to Jesus Christ as you are, but once you accept Him, you have to become new, change, and be born again, and turn away from all wicked ways. Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. God Bless You. JESUS CHRIST IS COMING BACK SOON.
@@Truth_Hurts_Bad JESUS CHRIST died for you on a cross for our sins. 3 days after his death he resurrected and is The TRUE LIVING GOD. In a prayer repent from your sins and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and also ask for the HOLY SPIRIT to come into you in that same prayer as well. Have FAITH in CHRIST. You could come to Jesus Christ as you are, but once you accept Him, you have to become new, change, and be born again, and turn away from all wicked ways. Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. God Bless You. JESUS CHRIST IS COMING BACK SOON.
Wow… Im in my 40’s now, but I was a band nerd all of my high school career and played several instruments and NO ONE EVER explained the circle of fifths this simply to me. This is by far the BEST explanation I’ve ever heard! You ROCK!
JESUS CHRIST died for you on a cross for our sins. 3 days after his death he resurrected and is The TRUE LIVING GOD. In a prayer repent from your sins and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and also ask for the HOLY SPIRIT to come into you in that same prayer as well. Have FAITH in CHRIST. You could come to Jesus Christ as you are, but once you accept Him, you have to become new, change, and be born again, and turn away from all wicked ways. Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. God Bless You. JESUS CHRIST IS COMING BACK SOON.
Gracie, until you came along I was unable to grasp this concept. I've learned more in this 16 minute session than I have in the last 3 years. You have great charm, grace & beauty thank you!
I am a retired 73 year old and always wanted to learn guitar and music theory. Stated taking guitar lessons and after learning couple songs with chords he told me it's time to learn circle if fifths. I still have a busy life and looked at this challenge, honestly and humbly, with a sense of awe, and that it was going to be a tough challenge, but bless your heart, you have a true gift of teaching, and in turn, you have blessed me with learning the circle of fifths. Never too late to learn 😊
i have only recently taken a serious dive into theory after playing guitar for 30+ years and this is literally the only video i've found that covers the complete gamut of the circle and shows how you can identify which sharps and flats go in a particular key - you deserve a medal - this is such a eureka moment for me after so long scratching my head. thank you
I'm right there with you, been playing 31 years and just recently decided it would be a good idea to learn some theory to make it easier to remember what I'm doing as my memory isn't what it was when I was younger 😂 this is a game changer.
As a musician / composer who is predominantly self taught, the question which has preoccupied my learning over the years is "how" but rarely "why". So, whilst I know my scales from both the classical and modal points of view, it was interesting to go back to basics and learn why they are as they are. A clear and concise explanation..... thankyou Gracie.
25 years as a guitarist and I've never seen it explained as simply and clearly as this. Kudos to you. Let this be a lesson to all _teachers._ Now to choose a mnemonic for the order of sharps ... I could happily listen to you read out the Greater London phonebook from A-Z.
One thing that may help with understanding the order of sharps is that it's just the notes in order, starting from F and C. You just alternate between the two "scales": F G A B, and C D E. You get F c G d A e B (I used caps for the "F scale" and lowercase for the "C scale", so that it's easier to see the pattern).
Gracie, I can't thank you enough for making something that can be really complicated into something so simple! I've been playing piano since I was 5 years old and I learned the sharps and flats of scales by listening! As I played each scale I could hear how the, say, major scale SHOULD sound and I got to know the sharps and flats of scales by memorizing what I'd figured out by listening. I got to know how to WRITE those scales on sheet music by reading the music on OTHER songs and memorizing how they were arranged, the order the sharps and flats were placed on the songs I was playing. My piano teacher was someone who had learned piano on his own and passed his own style onto his students - he had no formal teaching, as in a school. I stopped taking lessons at about 16. I'd never really learned about the "Circle of Fifths", just vaguely heard about it from a friend who has her Doctorate now in music and the organ. As a Church musician (piano and organ) I've learned (of course) to read music, but not to be able to "improvise" very well. With the knowledge of the Circle of Fifths as you've taught it, I understand now and can definitely improvise much better. Long story short (too late! LOL!) thank you so much for putting this lesson on UA-cam! What a gift you are! :)
Clearly, this is the absolute best explanation of The Circle Of Fifths. I have watched a lot of videos about the Circle -- not one of them explained it as clearly & succinct as this woman has explained it. For example, not one video - other than this video - explained how " fifths " comes into play for the circle.
I wish I'd had you as my music teacher back in school. Nothing was ever explained as well as this and hence I failed music theory! Thanks for finally making this seem simple.
55 seconds in and she's already compressed many an explanation into something short and easy...God bless YOU, woman! Long may you live (and play, teach and be musical!)
I don't want to say how many years I've been playing the piano and reading music. NOW I understand the circle! Thanks so much for really going slow and explaining it! Hopefully you break it down even further. I know there is more and am excited to hear the rest.
Hi Gracie, I have been playing the guitar for 44 years. I recently retired and decided to take my skills to a new level by learning music theory, starting with the circle of fifths. This is a fantastic lesson which is easy to follow and provides a great foundation for my music journey. I look forward to watching more of your lessons. Thanks Gracie!
You will want to join Zombie's Guitar- Brian rocks. One of the very best out there. Also, check out Guitar Tricks- find someone named Chris S. They have a free trial. I play pretty good but still take lessons on both these fine sites. In person can help a lot too. You need to learn intervals, major scale, major and minor pentatonic scale, natural minor scale, some modes, and ALL the names of the notes instantly on the fretboard- to start.
I’ve tried books, other music tuition sites and UA-cam videos but you have helped me finally understand a range of music theory concepts I thought I understood but really didn’t! Your explanations are so clear the theory just sinks right in. Thanks for all you are doing, I’m a big fan and so glad I found you 👏🏻
The teachers like you makes the concept so so easy that anyone can understand. I have watched hundred of videos but was very confused about flats and sharps. . Finally your video made the concept so easy. I have no words to express my gratitude. Thank you so so much. May God bless you and ur loved ones.
Aw this is the nicest comment ever. Thank you so much!! I'm so glad you found it helpful. May God bless you and your loved ones too! And good luck on your musical journey :)
I'm 75 and have played several instruments since I was 8 but never understood the circle of fifths/fourths until now. Your slow, patient, thorough presentation opened my eyes and made it seem simple. I will take your advice and write it out myself now that I get it. Thank you. From the comments I know I am not the lone ranger.
I've literally never understood the circle of 5ths until now. I was able to follow along easily your explanation of the concept was both simple and articulate. Thank you for sharing.
I took Dobro lessons for 3 years and (IMO) didn't make much progress. THIS has been the BEST explanation of the Circle of Fifths I have ever seen. Thank you Gracie! Yes Tony explained like we're 4 yr olds. Too many musicians in their explanation do not dumb it down enough. THEY understand it already but hardly get down to our level. As told to me in the military, NEVER forget where you came from. Teachers were once students themselves!
You're absolutely right, those artists explain it with ego so that people like you and me just get confused and not understand anything and that makes a lot of people give up because they don't want a lot to succeed.
Yeah me too ! I've seen a ton of circle of fifths videos too and can say that Gracie REALLY has the best video that I've had the pleasure of learning from. She's an awesome music teacher !!! #1 A +++++
I finally got it,. Grace to you. :) I will stay with your lessons forever. Such a pleasure and so difficult to find a teacher like you. You have a unique gift and thank you for sharing it with us. NBG
Great video, Gracie. For those who are wondering, Cb, Fb, E# and B# do exist in musical composition theory. The confusion lies in the tuning of the instrument. The piano and fretted instruments, like guitar, use what's called the Equal Temperament tuning system. This tuning system uses fixed intervals and divides the octave into 12 steps (tones). In Western music these 12 steps or tones create an octave, and we call this the chromatic scale. The notes Cb, Fb, E# and B# do not exist in the chromatic scale. That doesn't mean they don't exist in music. It simply means that these notes would share the same name with other notes on the instrument. If the musical composition calls for playing a Cb, and you're playing guitar, playing what we call the B note on the 2nd fret A string would be the equivalent to Cb.
This is bloody brilliant! I’m 50, have a musical background from my adolescence, but as an adult I’ve always felt like something was missing. Enter music theory. Been trying to figure out the circle of 5ths by myself, and this presentation is ”da bomb”. Thanks for doing this! I’m excited to check out more of your stuff.
Aww thank you so much! I’m sorry for the slow reply. Sometimes these comments get buried in my notifications. I really appreciate reading this though and I’m so glad you found the video helpful.
Counter-clockwise starting at 12 o'clock, it's just "C"ircle of "F"ifths (or "F"ourths) and then BEADG twice (With the first one being flat). And the order of Flats is the same, starting with the BEADG, then adding the CF. So, if you remember BEADG, you almost have the entire thing memorized already. Great video - very well explained....
You taught me more about the Circle than the 10 or 12 other videos I've watched, and made it easy to follow! The Order of Sharps and Flats is something no one else talked about. Being able to easily figure out which notes are sharp or flat in any key is super helpful. Thank you, subscribed.
I'm 51 years old, was nationally ranked as a musician in high school and am just now picking up guitar to learn so my music reading and such is a bit dusty. THIS VIDEO, however, is the first time I have FULLY understood this-- no one ever broke it down for me before. Thank you so much! *Subscribed!*
As a piano student...Thank you so much...THE LIGHT JUST WENT ON! No one ever explained the simple premise that; starting with C, each ascending/descending note is the FIFTH note up/down in the scale. Duh!...Circle of fifths!!! With that one simple rule I can now write out the circle of fifths including all the sharps and flats. (My teacher's explanation was to just memorize everything). Your lesson was brilliant!❤. Subscribed.
almost 20 years of playing an nobody ever told me the order of sharps and flats would make my life so freaking easy. I’ve paid for lessons and done theory in school and I finally get it. This is a great video and to memorize FCGDAEB I made up “Freddy Caught Goats During April’s Easter Brunch” and for BEADGCF “Billy Escaped A Disastrous Groupon Cruise Fiasco” haha
I struggled for years trying to memorize all this. I do have a learning disability. After watching this, it all clicked! This video was amazing! Thank you so much for this.
The reason you understand is because this teacher understand how to teach you to make the material comprehensible and easy to remember. She is a good instructor and she's organized a good lesson.
NO ONE HAS LEARNING DISABILITIES UNLESS YOU ARE MENTALLY RETARDED. THE TEACHER MAKE YOU THINK LIKE THAT REMEMBER FOR EVER. THERE ARE NO BAD STUDENTS BUT THERE BAD TEACHERS. AND NOW WE HAVE ONE OF THE BEST. THANK YOU FOR THIS MAGICAL PERSON.
Man. I've been in music most of my life. I've been playing guitar for almost 18 years now. Took music theory in college, but stopped going before I took theory 2. I've known about the circle of 5ths, just never took the time to look into it. I guess maybe thought it was a waste of time to look into it or just daunting. I know enough music theory as it is, so this wasn't hard to grasp. Watching this all fall into place was mind blowing to me. Made a lot of the theory I have already embedded in my mind click. Just makes sense. I'll definitely be watching your videos on ways to use this. Funny enough, I recently found a printout of all the keys, sharped and flatted, with all the notes on them for each key, just as a visual guide. Seeing you write them all out connected those dots. Thank you for writing out each key with the sharps and flats, instead of just saying "well you see how it works, you can figure the rest out." Thank you for this lesson. Much appreciated!
Wow, I can't explain it but you actually got through this thick skull of mine and opened my mind up and taught me something none of the other videos did. Thank you so much! You're an amazing teacher! You made a subscriber out of me!
I will have to wach it a couple times but the first time in 25 years I got a little hint of what the circle of faiths are all about. I remember my guitar.teacher just lost me. I quit. It was probably my loss but he didn't explain it anyway re e in the fashion this young lady has. Thank you. I'll get it!
Sorry for all the grammar mistakes. But I watch you all the time now. God definitely put you on this earth to teach music theory. You are extremely talented ! Thank you !
I love your teaching style. You make it feel that we are having a conversation where you’re listening and watching as you gently guide us in an unerring way to arrive at a greater understanding of music theory. Truly excellent teaching! Thank you, Gracie!
Since first seeing it, I've always felt puzzled by the whole circle of 5ths diagram and just avoided even trying to understand it. Happy to say after watching this...I finally get it! This is the simplest and clearest breakdown of music theory Ive seen yet. Thank you very much for making this so easy to absorb and comprehend. Excellent lesson.
I've had multiple musician friends try to explain theory to me, and you, by far have explained it the easiest! Thank you! Some advice from an AV tech, turn off your auto iris on your camera. your video exposure resets every time you turn away from the camera or pause to edit.
Oh wow I had no idea there was even something called auto iris, or what was causing that exposure changing! Hahaha thank you so much! Currently googling it to see if I can figure out how to fix it on my camera... wish me luck :D. I have a canon eos m50. Also, I'm so glad you found this circle of fifths explanation easy to understand! :)
LOVE how you broke it down!! One idea: instead of memorizing the order, we can just memorize the first 2: F and C and then alternate F G A B C C D E F G Alternating F.. c...G...d.... A....e....B....f....C
This lesson has been a monumental event in my piano journey!!! I've made many attempts to wrap my brain around the "Circle" and failed miserably! You are a brilliant, articulate and patient instructor - thank you VERY much!!!
Wow! You are: an incredible teacher who makes the confusing easy to understand, and drop dead gorgeous. (I felt like I was in my 7th grade Art class! ) Thanks for posting.
Gracie, well done with one suggestion. You are correct that the circle counts 5 forward and 4 backward. When counting back you omit the note you start on. So, starting with C (but not counting it) B,A,G,F. This is such a good piece of instruction I felt I had to offer this minor clarification.
Less than 60 seconds and I hit the like button, because I have some knowledge of music theory and love the way she broke it down so anyone who have no clue can understand it. Probably one of the best break down of the circle of fifths, very beginner and advanced friendly.
I'm a 32 year old college student, and you just saved my grade in songwriting class. ❤🎉 Thank you so much for breaking this down so well and going so slowly! Not every brain is wired for such things.
Gracie, I'm a beginner piano player. I can read sheet music and play. I have always heard of the circle of 5ths. They say this is what professional musicians use a lot. You have explained this so wonderfully to me and others who try to get it. Thank you so much. You are really good at giving beginners what they need to know.
The circles of 5th and 4ths are really easy if you play a stringed instrument. My mom had me memorize the sharps and flats(opposite of sharps) when I was a kid. I had no idea what it meant, but I had it memorized. Later in my 20s as a self-taught guitarist, a light bulb moment happened and now I'm so grateful to Mom for that!
Wow. I'm 55, a recreational player most of those years, my father was a public school band teacher my 1st 25 yrs, after his 8 years in the Presidents Marine Corps Band, and... *I never knew this* thanks... Better late than never. I'm just now learning theory, after all these years of learning the fretboard by sound. Maybe was a better way, but I could have advanced quicker maybe, by knowing the theory of the sound, maybe, I don't know. Thanks, I'll be back for more.
You have music in the genes! Ultimately it's best to play what sounds and feels best to your ear (which you've been doing)... but understanding theory can unlock a lot more potential :)
Watched this 3 years ago and I go back periodically and review it as I did today. I am so excited to have this understanding I wanted to share it with my dulcimer group. They groaned, LOL. I want to also share the info in video Demystifying... where you explain whole step, whole step half step etc and then apply that to the fret board of our dulcimers and ukes differentiating diatonic vs chromatic. They groaned, again. Oh well, will keep trying. I know that the best way to affirm you knowledge of a subject is to teach it to someone else and to field their questions. Thanks so much!
Although you always go slowly and have a perfect grasp of what your listeners can handle at each step in the learning process, you never waste a second of air time. Bravo!
After watching your video, I now understand the circle of fifths. You made it so easy to understand and now it seems quite simple. Thank you very much.
I'm 67 years old and you have answered questions I have had since learning to play the clarinet in 4th grade. You are never to old to learn. Thank you.
Your teaching style vibes so well with my learning style, I appreciate it more than I can ever express!!!! I grasped it in your 16 min video better than any thing else this entire year of learning. Thank you ✨💓
Easiest way for me to remember the order of sharps is by visualizing on the guitar a root - p5 "zigzag" pattern starting from the 6th string F to its perfect 5th on the 5th string (C) then back up to G and its perfect 5th (D) and so on up to B. Moving backwards gets me the order of flats. Thank you Gracie you rock!
I’m baffled. I’m not one to leave comments but I have to speak out. I have no idea how you do it. You explain clearly in minutes what other teachers take hours (or days) only to leave you more confused. You are truly gifted. Can you please do videos on quantum physics next?
Thank you Gracie, don't stop teaching. You have a wonderful talent for theory! Very well organized and presented! Thank you and look forward to more of your videos.
I am 65. Have taken lessons from age 10-16. Have had the circle of fifths explained to me over and over and never understood it. Today for the first time in my life I understand it. Wow. Thank you!
I was feeling frustrated with myself in class for not getting the circle of fifths but this video helped me completely understand it. You are an amazing teacher and thank you for sharing your wisdom! ☺️
I have got to give it to you woman, this is the first time I watched a video about the circle of 5th that not only is crystal clear but quite watchable as well.
This was well explained and informative. And could not have been broken down better, I'm an adult and I've been thru alot of other videos, of which they are all unmatched. You're just a great teacher and I love your video. GREAT work ma'am 👍🙏💕🎼
Why would people watch this video, and tell other guitar players that they don't need to know this? After almost 50 years of playing, I've found that I do need this, and I realize how helpful it might have been to know, all those decades ago, when I was learning basic chord patterns... And I would ask them why they decided to watch this video after reading the title??? BTW, I liked it very much.
hahaha I always get a handful of comments from people who just clearly hate anything music theory related. i always wonder why they click on the video myself since the titles make the content pretty obvious. but my guess is that it comes from an insecurity about not understanding music theory, and rather than try to learn (they probably tried a bit in the past), they prefer to talk about how unimportant it is. i'm the first person to always say that you don't need to know music theory to play or write beautiful music, but if you can understand it, it's really quite cool and opens a lot of doors in the process of music making!
@@GracieTerzian You are absolutely right. But it is also a language, and someone in any decent band has to know how to speak it, so they can communicate with everyone else, who never thought it necessary to learn. Anyone "serious" about becoming a musician, needs to know these basics sooner than later, because guitar players like me, are a dime a dozen.
I have been playing guitar for forty five years and never understood this until I watched this and now it makes sense to me Thank you for your very clear explanation and the way you delivered it to my simple mind now I just have to put to proper use in my playing . Which I will be very handy to me it is priceless knowledge
Aww thank you so much for taking the time to write such a nice comment. It really makes me happy to hear that you found this helpful. Best of luck on your musical journey! :)
I played Baritone and Trombone so i initially memorized flats as in B-E-A-D-G-C-F and then I know sharps as the reverse. Everything is not a piano; however the piano is a good instrument to include in the learning of music itself as for it's ability to play chords and thus learn to understand harmony which also helps in understanding "single note instruments" including violin and such as well as learning to read such documents as a conductor's Score which blends all instruments in any "work" of music. Nice explanation of how to read and understand and be able to create at will and in your head the "Circle of Fifths".
@@oldrrocr e,a,d,g,b,e is just burned into memory lol. Should come up with something for ukelele and base though. I do know uke open string makes a c6 chord. Also had a 6 string uke for a bit and the guy at the store was nice enough to tell me that it was just a guitar with capo on 5th fret.
Dear Gracie, I have to say you this (believe it or not), but I saw your video and for the first time I really understand the whole system. For my life time (I learned every letter and every sign by heart) but I never understood the connections. So I wanna thank you so much for sharing this very useful tutorial video. You are such a remarkable teacher! With lovely greetings from Germany to New York Matthias
Thank you as always. I recently had a stroke and can't play my guitars, (but getting closer every day!, right side is screwed up), so I figured I'd learn music theory. Your lessons are awesome. I'm learning a lot. enough to donate! (and I've never donated to an online teacher before).
I have come to realize that some people have a gift for teaching. They can difficult concepts easily graspable, and I have to say I think you have that gift. Look forward to watching more of your videos.
Miss Gracie, THANK YOU! As a young dislectic student, I was unable to recreate or learn this easily. I did learn it eventually and have taught music with compassion for children w learning disabilities. I do not mind teaching the exact same lesson 29 different ways. My joy comes when the kids are able to understand and memorize the lessons. Thank you so much for these lessons. I will incorporate your simple, yet highly effective method into their lessons, hopefully with your blessings. Your teaching style is so perfect, I'm moved to tears. I'll be watching and sharing with the kids. You're a jewel in this world. So many thanks and appreciation. 💕 Best always. JG. "Littlest Music School."
As an adult, I really appreciate this being explained to me like I'm a 4 year old. I totally understand it now. You're a great teacher, thanks.
I agree!
@@Heartwing37 Now that it's mentioned; We all remember ABC song (Twinkle Little Star). Imagine that after 1st grade, We were taught F-C-G-D-A-E-B then coming down w/B-E-A-D-G-C-F ! I think it could work.
@@robertakerman3570 I will be using this. This is invaluable as someone learning guitar, thank you.
Man, I totally agree with you!
Some pneumonic phrases to help remember it as well:
Fat Cats Go Down Alley Endings Brawling
BEAD Games Come First
or
Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles Father
This is absolutely brilliant. I finally understand the circle of fifths after many years. Any time I tried to work it out from a book, I could never understand it. For me, this has been the clearest explanation. Its a great feeling to finally understand some music theory. You've explained it extremely well, thank you for your help.
Wow thank you so much!! What a kind comment! I am very touched!
@@GracieTerzian Today 26 of April Ear training isn't available-Oh well.
Your explanation is excellent
Let's see if further knowledge can teach an old dog like myself new tricks!
Always handy. for borrowing from. neighbor scales , finding relative minors . relative Majors etc too
You really simplified what looked like a very huge mountain. Thank you so much
I’ve been studying and playing music for 27 years. Nobody has EVER explained this so clearly to me. This is ridiculously easy. Thank you!
As a high school music teacher this is exactly the same way I came up with to teach this material to my students 20 years ago. I love that you are doing such a great job of sharing this online with so many musicians. I like to use use the Mnemonic, Father, Charles, Goes, Down, And, Ends, Battle, as it is a sort of palindrome as it reads, Battle, Ends, And, Down. Goes, Charles, Father as the order of flats. Two for the price of one. Keep up the great work.
OK,Roger, but what practical use is it?
You must have watched the same guy I did a while back on YT (or you're the one that came up with it in the first place). I just remember Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles Father. There is sort of a pattern on the fretboard using BEADGCF and this is one aid to learn the notes on the fretboard.
JESUS CHRIST died for you on a cross for our sins. 3 days after his death he resurrected and is The TRUE LIVING GOD. In a prayer repent from your sins and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and also ask for the HOLY SPIRIT to come into you in that same prayer as well. Have FAITH in CHRIST. You could come to Jesus Christ as you are, but once you accept Him, you have to become new, change, and be born again, and turn away from all wicked ways. Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. God Bless You. JESUS CHRIST IS COMING BACK SOON.
@@johnhewitt8784 JESUS CHRIST died for you on a cross for our sins. 3 days after his death he resurrected and is The TRUE LIVING GOD. In a prayer repent from your sins and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and also ask for the HOLY SPIRIT to come into you in that same prayer as well. Have FAITH in CHRIST. You could come to Jesus Christ as you are, but once you accept Him, you have to become new, change, and be born again, and turn away from all wicked ways. Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. God Bless You. JESUS CHRIST IS COMING BACK SOON.
@@rogerd9150 JESUS CHRIST died for you on a cross for our sins. 3 days after his death he resurrected and is The TRUE LIVING GOD. In a prayer repent from your sins and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and also ask for the HOLY SPIRIT to come into you in that same prayer as well. Have FAITH in CHRIST. You could come to Jesus Christ as you are, but once you accept Him, you have to become new, change, and be born again, and turn away from all wicked ways. Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. God Bless You. JESUS CHRIST IS COMING BACK SOON.
I've been playing very basic guitar since I was 12. I took formal guitar lessons at 48 from a teacher who really didn't
want to work too hard. He basically wrote up song charts. My brother, who took lessons from a young age, told me about the circle of fifths. My guitar teacher never heard of it, or pretended that he hadn't. I've learned more on line in the last two months than I had in 8 years of "lessons". I understand the Circle of Fifths now thanks to you. You're very clear and to the point. I know a good teacher when I see one. I was a high school English teacher for 23 years. At 60, I feel like I finally know what I'm doing.
I would give any Music/Guitar teacher that has never heard of the circle of fifths, a very wide berth. By the way, well done Charles 👍
If you play guitar, than the circle of 5 is not so important, I think.
Because on the guitar you play a Pattern and it's always the same pattern.
You can play the C-Dur pattern starting on the 15th Thread and then you play G-Dur.
You are using the F# note, but you don't have to know which note is the F# it is part of the pattern.
Well said, Charles! Keep enjoying your guitar, 30 minutes every day will make you feel amazing! JC.
Wow, Charles, thank you so much for this incredible compliment and comment. It really means a lot, especially coming from a fellow teacher. I’m very sorry you had a lazy guitar teacher.. unfortunately they are out there. Keep up the great work, keep learning and playing and soaking in everything you can…. It’s limitless!
@@Stu_Yorkie haha yes
I'm a bass player that has never studied music. I have watched a few videos on the circle of 5ths and your video is the first one that makes sense. I realize that I have a lot to memorize, but at least now I feel that I will have success. Thank you for making this video. I believe it will be a huge aid in my growth and development. God bless you!
Join Guitar Tricks- I like it. Definitely study- get a good teacher. I did both ways- like you for years but I now realize how I really new nothing. I could still play just not very well. You will become a much better bass player.
JESUS CHRIST died for you on a cross for our sins. 3 days after his death he resurrected and is The TRUE LIVING GOD. In a prayer repent from your sins and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and also ask for the HOLY SPIRIT to come into you in that same prayer as well. Have FAITH in CHRIST. You could come to Jesus Christ as you are, but once you accept Him, you have to become new, change, and be born again, and turn away from all wicked ways. Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. God Bless You. JESUS CHRIST IS COMING BACK SOON.
@@MOAB-UT JESUS CHRIST died for you on a cross for our sins. 3 days after his death he resurrected and is The TRUE LIVING GOD. In a prayer repent from your sins and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and also ask for the HOLY SPIRIT to come into you in that same prayer as well. Have FAITH in CHRIST. You could come to Jesus Christ as you are, but once you accept Him, you have to become new, change, and be born again, and turn away from all wicked ways. Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. God Bless You. JESUS CHRIST IS COMING BACK SOON.
I have been playing guitar for a long time. However, there are a lot of gaps in my music theory. I have been checking out your videos. You have a teaching style that I can connect with. Excellent content Gracie.
Thank you so much!! I'm so glad you think so :)
Gracie, I’ve played guitar for 24 years…and for the first time I finally understand the Circle of Fifths! You are a brilliant teacher, thank you 💪
you should ignore it unless it's jazz guitar. coordinating your ear with your fingers on the fretboard should be the goal of guitar players i think so that you can play whatever comes into your head
@@jgunther3398 There is a science to understanding methodology which will expedite your progress, though. For me, I learned scales first (aggressive music preference), but am actively studying chords more nowadays. When I play a shape, I know the theory of what makes a chord sharp or flat and which notes to sharpen or flatten based on the circle. This video really helped my self-guided learning experience and I'm back for another refresher. Cheers to you.
JESUS CHRIST died for you on a cross for our sins. 3 days after his death he resurrected and is The TRUE LIVING GOD. In a prayer repent from your sins and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and also ask for the HOLY SPIRIT to come into you in that same prayer as well. Have FAITH in CHRIST. You could come to Jesus Christ as you are, but once you accept Him, you have to become new, change, and be born again, and turn away from all wicked ways. Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. God Bless You. JESUS CHRIST IS COMING BACK SOON.
@@jgunther3398 JESUS CHRIST died for you on a cross for our sins. 3 days after his death he resurrected and is The TRUE LIVING GOD. In a prayer repent from your sins and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and also ask for the HOLY SPIRIT to come into you in that same prayer as well. Have FAITH in CHRIST. You could come to Jesus Christ as you are, but once you accept Him, you have to become new, change, and be born again, and turn away from all wicked ways. Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. God Bless You. JESUS CHRIST IS COMING BACK SOON.
@@Truth_Hurts_Bad JESUS CHRIST died for you on a cross for our sins. 3 days after his death he resurrected and is The TRUE LIVING GOD. In a prayer repent from your sins and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and also ask for the HOLY SPIRIT to come into you in that same prayer as well. Have FAITH in CHRIST. You could come to Jesus Christ as you are, but once you accept Him, you have to become new, change, and be born again, and turn away from all wicked ways. Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. God Bless You. JESUS CHRIST IS COMING BACK SOON.
Wow… Im in my 40’s now, but I was a band nerd all of my high school career and played several instruments and NO ONE EVER explained the circle of fifths this simply to me. This is by far the BEST explanation I’ve ever heard! You ROCK!
JESUS CHRIST died for you on a cross for our sins. 3 days after his death he resurrected and is The TRUE LIVING GOD. In a prayer repent from your sins and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and also ask for the HOLY SPIRIT to come into you in that same prayer as well. Have FAITH in CHRIST. You could come to Jesus Christ as you are, but once you accept Him, you have to become new, change, and be born again, and turn away from all wicked ways. Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. God Bless You. JESUS CHRIST IS COMING BACK SOON.
Qvint Circle :D
@@ZyroPapuchon18 reported for misinformation
Gracie, until you came along I was unable to grasp this concept. I've learned more in this 16 minute session than I have in the last 3 years. You have great charm, grace & beauty thank you!
Aw thank you so much for such a nice comment! Much appreciated, and I'm so glad you found the video helpful!
Yes. Really just perfect. Great job.
Many school teachers just don't know how to teach. Making things too complicated. Ms. Terzian breaks things down so logically. Bravo!
I have to agree. the teaching has allowed me to remember this is quick time.
You nailed it sir
I am a retired 73 year old and always wanted to learn guitar and music theory. Stated taking guitar lessons and after learning couple songs with chords he told me it's time to learn circle if fifths. I still have a busy life and looked at this challenge, honestly and humbly, with a sense of awe, and that it was going to be a tough challenge, but bless your heart, you have a true gift of teaching, and in turn, you have blessed me with learning the circle of fifths. Never too late to learn 😊
i have only recently taken a serious dive into theory after playing guitar for 30+ years and this is literally the only video i've found that covers the complete gamut of the circle and shows how you can identify which sharps and flats go in a particular key - you deserve a medal - this is such a eureka moment for me after so long scratching my head. thank you
Aww thank you so much! So glad to hear this :) makes me very happy! Thank you for taking the time to write such a nice comment!
I'm right there with you, been playing 31 years and just recently decided it would be a good idea to learn some theory to make it easier to remember what I'm doing as my memory isn't what it was when I was younger 😂 this is a game changer.
As a musician / composer who is predominantly self taught, the question which has preoccupied my learning over the years is "how" but rarely "why". So, whilst I know my scales from both the classical and modal points of view, it was interesting to go back to basics and learn why they are as they are. A clear and concise explanation..... thankyou Gracie.
Aw thank you for this awesome comment Richard! Much appreciated ❤️
25 years as a guitarist and I've never seen it explained as simply and clearly as this. Kudos to you. Let this be a lesson to all _teachers._ Now to choose a mnemonic for the order of sharps ...
I could happily listen to you read out the Greater London phonebook from A-Z.
Aw thanks so much Joe! Much appreciated
It might be dumb but the mnemonic I use is:
Fat Cats Go Down Alleys Eating Bananas
@@LeeVerner Sold. Do you take cash?
@@LeeVerner superb Lee🤣🤣🤣👌👍👍
One thing that may help with understanding the order of sharps is that it's just the notes in order, starting from F and C. You just alternate between the two "scales": F G A B, and C D E. You get F c G d A e B (I used caps for the "F scale" and lowercase for the "C scale", so that it's easier to see the pattern).
Gracie, I can't thank you enough for making something that can be really complicated into something so simple! I've been playing piano since I was 5 years old and I learned the sharps and flats of scales by listening! As I played each scale I could hear how the, say, major scale SHOULD sound and I got to know the sharps and flats of scales by memorizing what I'd figured out by listening. I got to know how to WRITE those scales on sheet music by reading the music on OTHER songs and memorizing how they were arranged, the order the sharps and flats were placed on the songs I was playing. My piano teacher was someone who had learned piano on his own and passed his own style onto his students - he had no formal teaching, as in a school. I stopped taking lessons at about 16. I'd never really learned about the "Circle of Fifths", just vaguely heard about it from a friend who has her Doctorate now in music and the organ. As a Church musician (piano and organ) I've learned (of course) to read music, but not to be able to "improvise" very well. With the knowledge of the Circle of Fifths as you've taught it, I understand now and can definitely improvise much better. Long story short (too late! LOL!) thank you so much for putting this lesson on UA-cam! What a gift you are! :)
Aww Annie thank you SO much for your extremely sweet comment. I'm so glad you found the video helpful! It means so much to read this.
Clearly, this is the absolute best explanation of The Circle Of Fifths. I have watched a lot of videos about the Circle -- not one of them explained it as clearly & succinct as this woman has explained it. For example, not one video - other than this video - explained how " fifths " comes into play for the circle.
Thank you so much!!!
I wish I'd had you as my music teacher back in school. Nothing was ever explained as well as this and hence I failed music theory! Thanks for finally making this seem simple.
Yo not alone! The easiest things fail us because of the way they are taught😢
55 seconds in and she's already compressed many an explanation into something short and easy...God bless YOU, woman! Long may you live (and play, teach and be musical!)
This helped me enormously. Thanks for your videos.
I don't want to say how many years I've been playing the piano and reading music. NOW I understand the circle! Thanks so much for really going slow and explaining it! Hopefully you break it down even further. I know there is more and am excited to hear the rest.
Hi Gracie, I have been playing the guitar for 44 years. I recently retired and decided to take my skills to a new level by learning music theory, starting with the circle of fifths. This is a fantastic lesson which is easy to follow and provides a great foundation for my music journey. I look forward to watching more of your lessons. Thanks Gracie!
You will want to join Zombie's Guitar- Brian rocks. One of the very best out there. Also, check out Guitar Tricks- find someone named Chris S. They have a free trial. I play pretty good but still take lessons on both these fine sites. In person can help a lot too. You need to learn intervals, major scale, major and minor pentatonic scale, natural minor scale, some modes, and ALL the names of the notes instantly on the fretboard- to start.
Frank can go dancing at every bar.
as soon as I saw that I thought a mnemonic would be useful, great
thank you so much gonna memorize this🙏🏾🙏🏾
Frank can go drinking* at every bar
Bless you. Was trying to think of a good mnemonic
I always said "Freddy Can Get Donuts Anytime." Then I just memorized the last two sharps. Yours is better but I'm not sure I can retrain my brain.
I’ve tried books, other music tuition sites and UA-cam videos but you have helped me finally understand a range of music theory concepts I thought I understood but really didn’t! Your explanations are so clear the theory just sinks right in. Thanks for all you are doing, I’m a big fan and so glad I found you 👏🏻
Aw that is so kind of you to say! this makes me so happy to read :). thank you so much and i'm so glad it helped
The teachers like you makes the concept so so easy that anyone can understand. I have watched hundred of videos but was very confused about flats and sharps. . Finally your video made the concept so easy. I have no words to express my gratitude. Thank you so so much. May God bless you and ur loved ones.
Aw this is the nicest comment ever. Thank you so much!! I'm so glad you found it helpful. May God bless you and your loved ones too! And good luck on your musical journey :)
Excellent!!!
I'm 75 and have played several instruments since I was 8 but never understood the circle of fifths/fourths until now. Your slow, patient, thorough presentation opened my eyes and made it seem simple. I will take your advice and write it out myself now that I get it. Thank you. From the comments I know I am not the lone ranger.
I've literally never understood the circle of 5ths until now. I was able to follow along easily your explanation of the concept was both simple and articulate. Thank you for sharing.
I took Dobro lessons for 3 years and (IMO) didn't make much progress. THIS has been the BEST explanation of the Circle of Fifths I have ever seen. Thank you Gracie! Yes Tony explained like we're 4 yr olds. Too many musicians in their explanation do not dumb it down enough. THEY understand it already but hardly get down to our level. As told to me in the military, NEVER forget where you came from. Teachers were once students themselves!
You're absolutely right, those artists explain it with ego so that people like you and me just get confused and not understand anything and that makes a lot of people give up because they don't want a lot to succeed.
I've watched a lot of videos on Circle of Fifths, and this one is definitely one of the best... Thanks Gracie!
You're so welcome! Thank you for your kind comment!
Agreed
Yeah me too ! I've seen a ton of circle of fifths videos too and can say that Gracie REALLY has the best video that I've had the pleasure of learning from. She's an awesome music teacher !!! #1 A +++++
Agree. Gracie has a gift for teaching, and was also blessed with beauty🤓😍
I finally got it,. Grace to you. :) I will stay with your lessons forever. Such a pleasure and so difficult to find a teacher
like you. You have a unique gift and thank you for sharing it with us. NBG
Great video, Gracie. For those who are wondering, Cb, Fb, E# and B# do exist in musical composition theory. The confusion lies in the tuning of the instrument. The piano and fretted instruments, like guitar, use what's called the Equal Temperament tuning system. This tuning system uses fixed intervals and divides the octave into 12 steps (tones). In Western music these 12 steps or tones create an octave, and we call this the chromatic scale. The notes Cb, Fb, E# and B# do not exist in the chromatic scale. That doesn't mean they don't exist in music. It simply means that these notes would share the same name with other notes on the instrument. If the musical composition calls for playing a Cb, and you're playing guitar, playing what we call the B note on the 2nd fret A string would be the equivalent to Cb.
This is bloody brilliant! I’m 50, have a musical background from my adolescence, but as an adult I’ve always felt like something was missing. Enter music theory. Been trying to figure out the circle of 5ths by myself, and this presentation is ”da bomb”. Thanks for doing this! I’m excited to check out more of your stuff.
Aww thank you so much! I’m sorry for the slow reply. Sometimes these comments get buried in my notifications. I really appreciate reading this though and I’m so glad you found the video helpful.
@@GracieTerzian Hey, no worries. I didn't expect a reply at all, so the fact that you did reply is a lovely surprise ☺️
Counter-clockwise starting at 12 o'clock, it's just "C"ircle of "F"ifths (or "F"ourths) and then BEADG twice (With the first one being flat). And the order of Flats is the same, starting with the BEADG, then adding the CF. So, if you remember BEADG, you almost have the entire thing memorized already. Great video - very well explained....
Yes! I like your way of thinking about it! Thanks for sharing :)
Those are the strings of a 5 string bass. Don't know if there are other instruments with those.
@@GertvanderDoes good point. Didn't even think of that. Although a 5 string could be EADGC. ;-)
Sskydvr69...Were it that simple we would not be here today trying to learn what is in this video. Thanks but...no.
@@geraldhenrickson7472 not sure what you disagree with, but hey, you do you....
You taught me more about the Circle than the 10 or 12 other videos I've watched, and made it easy to follow! The Order of Sharps and Flats is something no one else talked about. Being able to easily figure out which notes are sharp or flat in any key is super helpful. Thank you, subscribed.
Thanks so much for subscribing! I'm so glad you found the video easy to follow! Makes me very happy to hear.
Agreed. I never understood, or had explained, the Order of Sharps and Flats. It makes perfect sense, thanks to this brilliant explanation.
I'm 51 years old, was nationally ranked as a musician in high school and am just now picking up guitar to learn so my music reading and such is a bit dusty. THIS VIDEO, however, is the first time I have FULLY understood this-- no one ever broke it down for me before. Thank you so much! *Subscribed!*
As a piano student...Thank you so much...THE LIGHT JUST WENT ON! No one ever explained the simple premise that; starting with C, each ascending/descending note is the FIFTH note up/down in the scale. Duh!...Circle of fifths!!! With that one simple rule I can now write out the circle of fifths including all the sharps and flats. (My teacher's explanation was to just memorize everything). Your lesson was brilliant!❤. Subscribed.
almost 20 years of playing an nobody ever told me the order of sharps and flats would make my life so freaking easy. I’ve paid for lessons and done theory in school and I finally get it. This is a great video and to memorize FCGDAEB I made up “Freddy Caught Goats During April’s Easter Brunch” and for BEADGCF “Billy Escaped A Disastrous Groupon Cruise Fiasco” haha
I'll never forget Freddie Caught Goats During April's Easter Brunch now 😁 thank you
I struggled for years trying to memorize all this. I do have a learning disability. After watching this, it all clicked! This video was amazing! Thank you so much for this.
You’re very welcome! So happy to hear this :)
The reason you understand is because this teacher understand how to teach you to make the material comprehensible and easy to remember. She is a good instructor and she's organized a good lesson.
NO ONE HAS LEARNING DISABILITIES UNLESS YOU ARE MENTALLY RETARDED.
THE TEACHER MAKE YOU THINK LIKE THAT
REMEMBER FOR EVER.
THERE ARE NO BAD STUDENTS
BUT THERE BAD TEACHERS.
AND NOW
WE HAVE ONE OF THE BEST.
THANK YOU FOR THIS MAGICAL PERSON.
Man. I've been in music most of my life. I've been playing guitar for almost 18 years now. Took music theory in college, but stopped going before I took theory 2. I've known about the circle of 5ths, just never took the time to look into it. I guess maybe thought it was a waste of time to look into it or just daunting. I know enough music theory as it is, so this wasn't hard to grasp. Watching this all fall into place was mind blowing to me. Made a lot of the theory I have already embedded in my mind click. Just makes sense. I'll definitely be watching your videos on ways to use this. Funny enough, I recently found a printout of all the keys, sharped and flatted, with all the notes on them for each key, just as a visual guide. Seeing you write them all out connected those dots. Thank you for writing out each key with the sharps and flats, instead of just saying "well you see how it works, you can figure the rest out." Thank you for this lesson. Much appreciated!
Wow, I can't explain it but you actually got through this thick skull of mine and opened my mind up and taught me something none of the other videos did. Thank you so much! You're an amazing teacher! You made a subscriber out of me!
That's the first time anyone has explained the circle of fifth that I could understand it! Thank you so much!
That makes me very happy! Thanks!
I will have to wach it a couple times but the first time in 25 years I got a little hint of what the circle of faiths are all about. I remember my guitar.teacher just lost me. I quit. It was probably my loss but he didn't explain it anyway re e in the fashion this young lady has. Thank you. I'll get it!
Thank you so much Eric! It means a lot!
Sorry for all the grammar mistakes. But I watch you all the time now. God definitely put you on this earth to teach music theory. You are extremely talented ! Thank you !
I love your teaching style. You make it feel that we are having a conversation where you’re listening and watching as you gently guide us in an unerring way to arrive at a greater understanding of music theory. Truly excellent teaching! Thank you, Gracie!
Since first seeing it, I've always felt puzzled by the whole circle of 5ths diagram and just avoided even trying to understand it. Happy to say after watching this...I finally get it! This is the simplest and clearest breakdown of music theory Ive seen yet. Thank you very much for making this so easy to absorb and comprehend. Excellent lesson.
This makes me so happy to hear! I'm so glad you found it helpful.
Excellent! As someone who plays guitar but can't read music, this is the first time I have understood how the Cycle of Fifths works
So happy to hear that!!!!
I've had multiple musician friends try to explain theory to me, and you, by far have explained it the easiest! Thank you! Some advice from an AV tech, turn off your auto iris on your camera. your video exposure resets every time you turn away from the camera or pause to edit.
Oh wow I had no idea there was even something called auto iris, or what was causing that exposure changing! Hahaha thank you so much! Currently googling it to see if I can figure out how to fix it on my camera... wish me luck :D. I have a canon eos m50. Also, I'm so glad you found this circle of fifths explanation easy to understand! :)
LOVE how you broke it down!! One idea: instead of memorizing the order, we can just memorize the first 2: F and C and then alternate
F G A B C
C D E F G
Alternating F.. c...G...d.... A....e....B....f....C
Thanks! :)
This lesson has been a monumental event in my piano journey!!! I've made many attempts to wrap my brain around the "Circle" and failed miserably! You are a brilliant, articulate and patient instructor - thank you VERY much!!!
Thank you so, so much!! Such kind words... I really appreciate it!!!!
father charles goes down and ends battle
battle ends and down goes charles father
this is a good acronym
fcgdaeb
beadgcf
haha yes those are great! Thanks for sharing :)
Father Christmas Gave Dad An Electric Blanket
Blanket Explodes And Dad Gets Cold Feet
!
BEA Do Good Charter Flights (BEADGCF). Really helpful video, Thank you :-)
👍or "Charred Feet"
I like it.
Wow! You are: an incredible teacher who makes the confusing easy to understand, and drop dead gorgeous. (I felt like I was in my 7th grade Art class! ) Thanks for posting.
Aw shucks thanks so much!! :)
Gracie, well done with one suggestion. You are correct that the circle counts 5 forward and 4 backward. When counting back you omit the note you start on. So, starting with C (but not counting it) B,A,G,F. This is such a good piece of instruction I felt I had to offer this minor clarification.
That was one hell of a 16 minute lecture. You did way better than my 70 minute lecture because I understood everything....just bravo and wow
Aww thank you so so much! What a nice comment. So glad you enjoyed it
Less than 60 seconds and I hit the like button, because I have some knowledge of music theory and love the way she broke it down so anyone who have no clue can understand it. Probably one of the best break down of the circle of fifths, very beginner and advanced friendly.
I'm a 32 year old college student, and you just saved my grade in songwriting class. ❤🎉 Thank you so much for breaking this down so well and going so slowly! Not every brain is wired for such things.
Gracie, I'm a beginner piano player. I can read sheet music and play. I have always heard of the circle of 5ths. They say this is what professional musicians use a lot. You have explained this so wonderfully to me and others who try to get it. Thank you so much. You are really good at giving beginners what they need to know.
The circles of 5th and 4ths are really easy if you play a stringed instrument. My mom had me memorize the sharps and flats(opposite of sharps) when I was a kid. I had no idea what it meant, but I had it memorized. Later in my 20s as a self-taught guitarist, a light bulb moment happened and now I'm so grateful to Mom for that!
Aw what a great Mom
I came here for the circle of fifths and just spent almost an hour listening to wonderful harp-uke songs.. lucky me. :)
Aw shucks... thank you so much! Your comment made me very happy :)
Wow. I'm 55, a recreational player most of those years, my father was a public school band teacher my 1st 25 yrs, after his 8 years in the Presidents Marine Corps Band, and... *I never knew this* thanks... Better late than never.
I'm just now learning theory, after all these years of learning the fretboard by sound. Maybe was a better way, but I could have advanced quicker maybe, by knowing the theory of the sound, maybe, I don't know.
Thanks, I'll be back for more.
You have music in the genes! Ultimately it's best to play what sounds and feels best to your ear (which you've been doing)... but understanding theory can unlock a lot more potential :)
Watched this 3 years ago and I go back periodically and review it as I did today. I am so excited to have this understanding I wanted to share it with my dulcimer group. They groaned, LOL. I want to also share the info in video Demystifying... where you explain whole step, whole step half step etc and then apply that to the fret board of our dulcimers and ukes differentiating diatonic vs chromatic. They groaned, again. Oh well, will keep trying. I know that the best way to affirm you knowledge of a subject is to teach it to someone else and to field their questions. Thanks so much!
Hahahaha your story made me chuckle.. thanks for sharing! :) and thanks for the kind words!
Although you always go slowly and have a perfect grasp of what your listeners can handle at each step in the learning process, you never waste a second of air time. Bravo!
What a nice thing to say! I try to pace these videos the best I can! I appreciate your nice comment ❤️❤️❤️
I came up with an anagram for the circle of sharps that I needed to share.
Fat Cats Get Donuts And Extra Bacon
Or
Bacon Eggs And Donuts Get Cats Fat
Has anyone told Fat Mike about this??
Father Charles Gets Down And Eat Babies, Gets Down And Eat Babies
Or: Father Christmas Gave Daddy An Electric Blanket (for the sharps) and
Blanket Explodes And Daddy Gets Cold Feet (for the flats)
I think it's better to remember them as it is rather than using mnemonic
@@chills2447 I think it's best to "understand" why they are in that order first and then it doesn't matter if you use an anagram or not.
After watching your video, I now understand the circle of fifths. You made it so easy to understand and now it seems quite simple. Thank you very much.
So so happy to hear this! Thanks so much for the nice comment Robert!
I'm 67 years old and you have answered questions I have had since learning to play the clarinet in 4th grade. You are never to old to learn. Thank you.
I have been playing by ear for 40 years, I am amazed how you make this so easy to understand, Thank you!!!
Rock on! And thanks for your nice comment!
simple theory but so stunning how you explained so crystal clear! We need teachers like this!!!
Your teaching style vibes so well with my learning style, I appreciate it more than I can ever express!!!!
I grasped it in your 16 min video better than any thing else this entire year of learning.
Thank you ✨💓
Aww that is so wonderful to hear! Thank you so much!
Easiest way for me to remember the order of sharps is by visualizing on the guitar a root - p5 "zigzag" pattern starting from the 6th string F to its perfect 5th on the 5th string (C) then back up to G and its perfect 5th (D) and so on up to B. Moving backwards gets me the order of flats. Thank you Gracie you rock!
I’m baffled. I’m not one to leave comments but I have to speak out. I have no idea how you do it. You explain clearly in minutes what other teachers take hours (or days) only to leave you more confused. You are truly gifted. Can you please do videos on quantum physics next?
Yeah, the circle of fifths is actually second-year quantum physics, but Gracie can make it seem simple. 😄
SO TRUE
SO TRUE
i ve read books on music theory and didn't understand until I heard you. You an amazing teacher
Thank you Gracie, don't stop teaching. You have a wonderful talent for theory! Very well organized and presented! Thank you and look forward to more of your videos.
Thank you so much!
I am 65. Have taken lessons from age 10-16. Have had the circle of fifths explained to me over and over and never understood it. Today for the first time in my life I understand it. Wow. Thank you!
I was feeling frustrated with myself in class for not getting the circle of fifths but this video helped me completely understand it. You are an amazing teacher and thank you for sharing your wisdom! ☺️
Aww I’m so so happy to hear this!!! Good luck in the rest of your class and thank you for the kind words :)
This woman does a fantastic job explaining hard theories every one of her videos are super and you’re going to really learn a lot from them
Aww thank you so much Mike! I am so honored by your nice comment. It is much appreciated!
This comment reads like hypnosis…
😵💫
Yes, I just subscribed to Gracie’s channel. I will learn a lot from her videos.
✍🏼😵💫
😂😂😂
You should get a Nobel prize for explaining this. Brilliant Stuff!!!!!
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I have got to give it to you woman, this is the first time I watched a video about the circle of 5th that not only is crystal clear but quite watchable as well.
Thank you so much! So glad to hear it :)
This was well explained and informative. And could not have been broken down better, I'm an adult and I've been thru alot of other videos, of which they are all unmatched. You're just a great teacher and I love your video. GREAT work ma'am 👍🙏💕🎼
Thank you so so much!!!!
First time in my life someone explains this clearly. Thank you. You're awesome :)
thanks eric, you are awesome! :)
I took notes like a school going kid lol. This was so cool! Thank you so much for this Gracie.
Why would people watch this video, and tell other guitar players that they don't need to know this?
After almost 50 years of playing, I've found that I do need this, and I realize how helpful it might have been to know, all those decades ago, when I was learning basic chord patterns...
And I would ask them why they decided to watch this video after reading the title???
BTW, I liked it very much.
hahaha I always get a handful of comments from people who just clearly hate anything music theory related. i always wonder why they click on the video myself since the titles make the content pretty obvious. but my guess is that it comes from an insecurity about not understanding music theory, and rather than try to learn (they probably tried a bit in the past), they prefer to talk about how unimportant it is. i'm the first person to always say that you don't need to know music theory to play or write beautiful music, but if you can understand it, it's really quite cool and opens a lot of doors in the process of music making!
@@GracieTerzian You are absolutely right.
But it is also a language, and someone in any decent band has to know how to speak it, so they can communicate with everyone else, who never thought it necessary to learn.
Anyone "serious" about becoming a musician, needs to know these basics sooner than later, because guitar players like me, are a dime a dozen.
@@jeffmckinnon5842 for sure!!!
What an amazing and detailed explanation Gracie. thank you so much. 😍
I'm so glad you liked it! thank you for your kind comment! much appreciated
Q. Does the key of F also have no sharps or flats like the key of C? Sorry!
@@jonathanstickel7479 the Key of F has one flat. No need to apologize! Let me know if you have any other questions :)
@@GracieTerzian 😍
@@jonathanstickel7479 That "one flatted note" in F Major key is B-flat(Bb). Cheers~
I have been playing guitar for forty five years and never understood this until I watched this and now it makes sense to me
Thank you for your very clear explanation and the way you delivered it to my simple mind now I just have to put to proper use in my playing . Which I will be very handy to me it is priceless knowledge
Aww thank you so much for taking the time to write such a nice comment. It really makes me happy to hear that you found this helpful. Best of luck on your musical journey! :)
Wow! I'm in music theory right now and I've been having the hardest time memorizing the circle of 5ths, this is super helpful!! Thank you so much!
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I played Baritone and Trombone so i initially memorized flats as in B-E-A-D-G-C-F and then I know sharps as the reverse. Everything is not a piano; however the piano is a good instrument to include in the learning of music itself as for it's ability to play chords and thus learn to understand harmony which also helps in understanding "single note instruments" including violin and such as well as learning to read such documents as a conductor's Score which blends all instruments in any "work" of music. Nice explanation of how to read and understand and be able to create at will and in your head the "Circle of Fifths".
"We play in five flats and get thrown out of all of them!" ~ Moe Howard 1939
Father Charles goes down and ends battle. Battle ends and down goes charles father.
Ya that's not had. I'm trying to up with one myself. I may borrow yours. Wait and see.
and for bonus points: find where these notes are on the guitar fretboard and learn how it will help you memorize it. :)
@@oldrrocr e,a,d,g,b,e is just burned into memory lol. Should come up with something for ukelele and base though. I do know uke open string makes a c6 chord. Also had a 6 string uke for a bit and the guy at the store was nice enough to tell me that it was just a guitar with capo on 5th fret.
Five conductors got drunk at Ed's bar.
@@jimbarnes8467 fat cat go dead after eating burrito
Thanks for walking me through this. But I always wonder: aside from knowing basic theory, what is the practical application?
Good question! I plan to make another video explaining what can be done with the circle of fifths.
@@GracieTerzian that would be awesome!
Thanks!
Thank you so much!!
My trumpet teacher taught me: Fat Cats Get Drunk At Every Bar
I play cornet. Lucky for me, I memorized the order of sharps first. I like your memory phrase the best!
At last, a phrase I can remember!
haha that's a good one!
Thank you! I finally have it!
see all possible explanations, but this one digests like butter
Guitarists like myself would just picture the fretboard and nail it all down. Thank youuu 👌🏻💙
Learn Hendrix progressions and get lots of useful theory applied on the neck! Thank you JMH.
Dear Gracie,
I have to say you this (believe it or not), but I saw your video and for the first time I really understand the whole system.
For my life time (I learned every letter and every sign by heart) but I never understood the connections.
So I wanna thank you so much for sharing this very useful tutorial video. You are such a remarkable teacher!
With lovely greetings from Germany to New York
Matthias
This video has been invaluable to my musical education. Very well done😀
At age 70, finally trying to learn to play a violin and this explanation is extremely helpful!
Wish you luck and grace my friend, thats a beautiful endeavor that brings me some joyful tears
This explanation is even better than Gareth’s from Music Matters. Thank you!
why thank you!
I think so too.
@@elizabeththomas2056 thank you very much!
Thank you as always. I recently had a stroke and can't play my guitars, (but getting closer every day!, right side is screwed up), so I figured I'd learn music theory. Your lessons are awesome. I'm learning a lot. enough to donate! (and I've never donated to an online teacher before).
Gracie, you are a wonderful teacher, so clear and concise. Thank You 🙏
You are so welcome! Thank you for saying such a lovely thing!
brilliant teaching, Gracie!
Thank you so much, Cynthia! I’m a big fan of yours!!! :)
@@GracieTerzian I’m a big fan of good looking female teachers..especially music:)
Great explanation of something that was totally mysterious. Very patient and logical in your teaching method too. Thanks very much.
Thank you so much!
I have come to realize that some people have a gift for teaching. They can difficult concepts easily graspable, and I have to say I think you have that gift. Look forward to watching more of your videos.
Thank you Jethro! Your comment really means a lot!
Best music theory teacher I’ve come across. How subjects are explained is crucial, You are a masterful teacher. Thank you 🙏🏾 👏🏾
Great explanation, noone has ever explained it to me this way! Thank you! I actually understand it!
Great to hear!
As a 72 year old beginner, I want to thank you for clarifying the Circle of Fifths. Makes a LOT more sense now.
Miss Gracie, THANK YOU! As a young dislectic student, I was unable to recreate or learn this easily. I did learn it eventually and have taught music with compassion for children w learning disabilities. I do not mind teaching the exact same lesson 29 different ways. My joy comes when the kids are able to understand and memorize the lessons. Thank you so much for these lessons. I will incorporate your simple, yet highly effective method into their lessons, hopefully with your blessings. Your teaching style is so perfect, I'm moved to tears. I'll be watching and sharing with the kids. You're a jewel in this world. So many thanks and appreciation. 💕 Best always. JG. "Littlest Music School."