Songs that use the Circle of Fifths progression

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  • čas přidán 18. 04. 2024
  • Also, if you're thinking right now, "Isn't Am to Dm a perfect fourth, not a perfect fifth?"... well, I've made an extra addendum video to explain just that: • Is this a Perfect 5th ... 🎼😀
    📌 In case you're wondering why there is a harsh cut in the middle of this video, it's because there was previously a sponsored segment there which was removed due to the sponsor ceasing trading.
    The Circle of Fifths is one of the most important concepts for understanding music theory. Whether it's notes in a melody, key centers in a modulation or chords in a chord progression, the Circle of Fifths can shine some light onto why certain musical relationships sound more harmonious than others.
    And, an extra special thanks goes to Douglas Lind, Vidad Flowers, Ivan Pang, Waylon Fairbanks, Jon Dye, Austin Russell, Christopher Ryan, Toot & Paul Peijzel, the channel’s Patreon saints! 😇
    SUPPORT ME ON PATREON: / davidbennettpiano 🎹
    0:00 the Circle of 5ths progression
    1:43 why fifths?
    5:50 anti-clockwise Vs clockwise
    7:16 Light My Fire by The Doors
    8:43 why not constant perfect 5ths?
    14:18 Patreon

Komentáře • 2,7K

  • @DavidBennettPiano
    @DavidBennettPiano  Před 2 lety +422

    If you're thinking right now, "Isn't Am to Dm a perfect fourth, not a perfect fifth?"... well, I've made an extra addendum video to explain just that: czcams.com/video/PknOTF84_WQ/video.html 🎼😀

    • @rmartin971
      @rmartin971 Před 2 lety +5

      Thanks.

    • @thepostapocalyptictrio4762
      @thepostapocalyptictrio4762 Před 2 lety +2

      so true!

    • @VinceWhitacre
      @VinceWhitacre Před 2 lety +17

      And that is precisely why you need that offset chord, the diminished, the flat 3, whatever, to get back "home."
      for those of us who grew up hearing primarily western music, we're accustomed to certain relationships between tones and chords. If you go from C to F, that's a fifth... but only if C is the V. Like you point out after playing your composition, it never feels really resolved because it sounds like there's a new tonal center with each chord change. V to I. If, on the other hand, C is your I chord... well, like you said, then you're moving by a fourth. V to I is resolved; but I to IV is (traditionally) not.
      Which is ultimately what's so compelling about such a progression. String enough together and you've got a sequence of changes that are perfect cadences and an unresolved tension at the same time.

    • @towlie337
      @towlie337 Před 2 lety +1

      Very cool lesson.....but how you gonna use jimi hendrix's hey Joe and then play some one ELSE play and sing it!?! TF?

    • @NNnn-zc2bm
      @NNnn-zc2bm Před 2 lety +26

      @@towlie337 if he plays Jimmy' s version then most likely CZcams will block the video

  • @reddraws
    @reddraws Před rokem +674

    playing all the chords in the circle of fifths feels like creating a dramatic climax that can never end

    • @johnny14980
      @johnny14980 Před rokem +47

      That is exactly the issue with playing it as is. Every chord is essentially the same transition so there’s no way to differentiate which one is which

    • @ajl8198
      @ajl8198 Před rokem +11

      That is so true which is why i have a guilty pleasure for alot of these songs

    • @David-iv6je
      @David-iv6je Před rokem +2

      Eventually comes off as twee.

    • @ndavid901101
      @ndavid901101 Před rokem +8

      Try to do it clockwise with only minor chords instead of mayors. If you grouping them by three for example in a time signature of 3/4 or 9/8, you will end up on the starting chord by a less awkward way. It's all about your melody and/or countermelody to make this circle satisfying. ;)
      On the top of that, you can create a four bar chordprogression that is fitting into the classic 4-8-12 bars trend.

    • @joaquinlezcano2372
      @joaquinlezcano2372 Před 10 měsíci +2

      Yes - Awaken

  • @CSGATI
    @CSGATI Před rokem +1347

    Musicians never die they just decompose.

  • @MultiBeerme
    @MultiBeerme Před 11 měsíci +74

    The circle of 5ths is something I use a lot as a DJ.
    Knowing what key your tracks are in helps greatly when blending melodies.

  • @Stoney3K
    @Stoney3K Před 2 lety +154

    Also note that the diminished fifth is *exactly* 180 degrees opposite the chord it came from -- much like the complimentary colour on a colour wheel. That's why it doesn't sound dissonant, but instead provides a moment of tension which can then naturally resolve through the momentum along the rest of the circle.

  • @TheMister123
    @TheMister123 Před 2 lety +571

    The pre-existing song that you couldn't find that uses the entire circle is indeed Yes's "Awaken". Please check it out.
    And no, Rick Wakeman and co. didn't lose track of their tonal centre at all. But it *is* meant to be a forever-ascending sequence, so the feel is indeed as you say.

    • @yarlodek5842
      @yarlodek5842 Před 2 lety +21

      Glad you mentioned that song!

    • @DavidBennettPiano
      @DavidBennettPiano  Před 2 lety +103

      Nice! I’ll check it out now!

    • @cakemartyr5794
      @cakemartyr5794 Před 2 lety +37

      @@DavidBennettPiano More Yes please (pun intended)

    • @mikeprager4773
      @mikeprager4773 Před 2 lety +33

      @@DavidBennettPiano We Yes fans obviously want you to listen to and love the whole song, but you can hear the full circle at around 10:35 here czcams.com/video/59feSG8U5EQ/video.html . Starts on E and goes counter-clockwise.

    • @JeffJefferyUK
      @JeffJefferyUK Před 2 lety +12

      Beat me to it. What a fantastic piece of music. Yes at their/its best.

  • @sweethands4328
    @sweethands4328 Před 2 lety +351

    As a guitarist that has played by ear quite well for over two decades. I would like to say, I have learned more theory from your videos in the last few months than I have since playing. I know most of what you cover, but I have never been able to put a name on what I was intuitively doing by ear. I have watched other videos but you put things in the most digestible way. If the student has not learned, then the teacher has not taught anything. Thank you and keep up the great work. You are doing great!

    • @winemeister
      @winemeister Před rokem +6

      That's a very nice comment, and David deserves the acknowledgement. I agree with what you say. I studied piano from age 4 till about 12 and then foolishly allowed it to fold when my tutor died. Like you, I have all this musical knowledge floating around in my head and can usually tell where a piece of music is heading, like sentences music has to make sense. You're also doing great as well as a student, remember you can lead a horse to water but can't make it drink.

    • @DaddyKratosOfTheShire
      @DaddyKratosOfTheShire Před rokem +2

      Yeah as a guitar player I was looking for this exactly but didn't know how to word it

    • @MikehMike01
      @MikehMike01 Před rokem +1

      theory is bogus

    • @QKvox
      @QKvox Před rokem +2

      Similar story here haha, ive been playing piano for a while and have a teacher and everything and school but ive learnt so much more theory here than there

    • @minerpvpgaming2160
      @minerpvpgaming2160 Před rokem +1

      @@MikehMike01 ur probably tone deaf

  • @maloosecat123
    @maloosecat123 Před měsícem +7

    That change from F to Bdim always has a powerful pull on me in music!

  • @toddism
    @toddism Před rokem +31

    I took guitar and banjo lessons for over a decade and nobody ever explained it like this. I also took music theory for 1 quarter in high school and HATED it. You have a gift.

  • @jnathan7171
    @jnathan7171 Před 2 lety +324

    I have to say it because it’s incredible, the circle of fifth works exactly like a chromatic circle, the way colors fit together in a painting or any visual artwork. Like three colors next to each others are going to look good because they have a color in common (like orange contains both red and yellow so those three colors fit well), and two colors at the opposite of this circle create a contrast that makes them look good as well when together.

    • @greenatom
      @greenatom Před 2 lety +2

      I think that's it!

    • @DOGOID
      @DOGOID Před 2 lety +10

      I always likened the circle of fifths to the colour wheel.

    • @1998Cebola
      @1998Cebola Před 2 lety +5

      You should check out the Adam Neely talk on Ableton's channel if you want a deep dive in the correlation between color and pitch!

    • @RAYGERVATO
      @RAYGERVATO Před 2 lety +9

      Jimi Hendrix spoke of how he visualized sound and tones as
      color hues do in relation to one another on the colorwheel. We
      know he was great but.... wow!
      He played by ear, yet was able-
      to visualize sound, in his mind.

    • @ClueSign
      @ClueSign Před 2 lety +2

      Synesthesia is cool.

  • @johntousseau9380
    @johntousseau9380 Před 2 lety +347

    Wouldn't be a David Bennett video without a Beatles example. You Never Give Me Your Money is one of my favorite Beatles' songs. Everything from the Abbey Road B side is just a freakin' masterpiece.

  • @Lily-Bravo
    @Lily-Bravo Před rokem +49

    I've been dipping in and out of music theory for nearly 60 years and thought lockdown would give me a chance to focus on "getting" it. Well that failed, but today, your video has made the penny drop. Your clear presentation, and use of particular favourite songs has really helped move me on. Thank you so much.

  • @knutz7
    @knutz7 Před rokem +69

    Been struggling with bass for over 40 years, found CZcams videos on the circle of fifths only recently but none are as good as this as far as demonstrating it to a music/tab/cord illiterate.
    I knew I liked playing hey Joe tho, now I know why and also why I like the Beatles medley so much.
    Thank you for explaining it in such an easy to understand way, now I might get somewhere.

  • @jwhit98
    @jwhit98 Před 2 lety +131

    Dave Brubeck’s “In Your Own Sweet Way” takes the circle of fifths all the way from A to B, omitting just the final E that leads back to A. They’re all 7th chords: A7-D7-G7-C7-F7-Bb7-Eb7-Ab7-Db7-Gb7-B7. And it’s not an exercise. It’s a beautiful song.

  • @SpanishMoonRock
    @SpanishMoonRock Před 2 lety +89

    Been playing music for 20 years. I thought the circle of 5ths was a method for remembering your sharps and flats. I didn’t realize you could play it. And I have played three of those songs he mentioned.

    • @yapyap66
      @yapyap66 Před 2 lety +5

      But oh the circle of fifths gets much much deeper than this fragment
      There is a incredible video on CZcams that blows my mind I will post it here for you if I can find it

    • @JiveDadson
      @JiveDadson Před 2 lety

      What do you play?

    • @Boddissatva
      @Boddissatva Před rokem

      Ya me too. I’ll
      Have to play this now

  • @krakenhawkstratdude204
    @krakenhawkstratdude204 Před 2 lety +25

    This is by far the best video on the circle of fifths I’ve seen. Thank you explaining it so well.

  • @donaadler6208
    @donaadler6208 Před rokem +14

    FINALLY! I understand WHY and not just HOW!! Thanks David! You are an exemplary instructor!

  • @grrlpurpleable
    @grrlpurpleable Před 2 lety +79

    An endless circle of fifths felt to me like the harmonic equivalent of a Shepard Tone! :D

    • @philcollinslover56705
      @philcollinslover56705 Před 2 lety +3

      oh wow it would. all the chords interlock into each other 😯

    • @pulykamell
      @pulykamell Před 2 lety +6

      Yes it’s making me quite anxious not having a resolution to that progression.

    • @oldnelson4298
      @oldnelson4298 Před 2 lety +2

      I was going to write the exact same thing!

    • @scatlar2
      @scatlar2 Před 2 lety +1

      Omg same bro I stg I feel so not good after listening to him go on on with that 😵‍💫😵‍💫 :( so unsatisfying

  • @BobMcKinstry
    @BobMcKinstry Před 2 lety +13

    Another gem. The composition around the CoF was almost disturbing. I kept waiting for a tonic to let me know I was home. It never came.

    • @DavidBennettPiano
      @DavidBennettPiano  Před 2 lety +5

      It’s weird isn’t it! It sounds harmonious and pleasing and yet disoriented!

  • @228Brendon
    @228Brendon Před rokem +36

    The 2nd guitar solo on “A man I’ll never be” from Boston’s 2nd album goes through a full round of the circle of fifths and resolves back into its key. It’s beautiful.

  • @DaneBryantFrazier
    @DaneBryantFrazier Před rokem +8

    Your piece there at the end demonstrating the full circle of fifths was like the most unsatisfying thing ever because it just kept going and there was no end lol. So cool and what a great video on this subject.

  • @reluctantly_anthony
    @reluctantly_anthony Před 2 lety +285

    6:52 I actually love the C to E transition. Sounds like something Philip Glass would do

    • @Propane_Acccessories
      @Propane_Acccessories Před 2 lety +9

      I got a Muse vibe off of that

    • @JiveDadson
      @JiveDadson Před 2 lety +17

      Something Coltrane would do. (Giant steps.)

    • @TheDeadOfNight37
      @TheDeadOfNight37 Před 2 lety +17

      He said it was stark and I was ready for something unpleasant, sounded really good

    • @terrylaw18
      @terrylaw18 Před 2 lety +21

      That C to E chord structure , major to major or even dominant major third interval is used all over the place in country, rock n roll, older pop & even blues. Has a very distinctive sound. Once you learn the sound shape can be recognized easily.

    • @isakkkkkk
      @isakkkkkk Před rokem +8

      I think Elton John use this chord progression in Goodbye Yellow Brick Road

  • @c0nga
    @c0nga Před 2 lety +73

    your videos have really been helping me get a grip of music theory, it really helps me understand why my favorite songs sound so good! (and also helps me realize why the beatles were so important)

  • @paulrandig
    @paulrandig Před rokem +12

    I knew everything you were telling us today. But I could never tell it that way. That's why I am happy that you bring this fascinating topic in such an easily understandable way, so that many people understand how wonderful music theory can be.

  • @RobertViani
    @RobertViani Před rokem +8

    Fantastic video. After years of listening these songs are basically in my DNA. Perfect method of illustrating not just the sound but the feel of the notes as they relate to each other and the ear. Well done.

  • @Arnwald
    @Arnwald Před 2 lety +178

    There's also the possibility to swap the Bdim with a B flat, making the F a perfect fifth and the B flat a diminished fifth, like in "She's always a woman" by Billy Joel or "Hello" by Lionel Richie

    • @DavidBennettPiano
      @DavidBennettPiano  Před 2 lety +40

      Yeah I love that! I think that is also done in “Windmills of your mind” by Noel Harrison

    • @ericrakestraw664
      @ericrakestraw664 Před 2 lety +15

      "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)" by Christopher Cross also does that.

    • @bigdog2432
      @bigdog2432 Před 2 lety +6

      Big dog big turd “stinkin mornin” also does it

    • @ericrakestraw664
      @ericrakestraw664 Před 2 lety +2

      @@bigdog2432 I don't think I've heard that one before.

    • @justintroyka8855
      @justintroyka8855 Před 2 lety +2

      Elton John, "Funeral for a Friend", does this!

  • @charlesneuzil5765
    @charlesneuzil5765 Před 2 lety +60

    Superb video and explanation/demonstration. "Autumn Leaves" is another that has a cool use of the Circle of Fifths as well. I will often run through various chord arpeggios thought the circle going counter clockwise as it is so common in many jazz standards, at least so I've noticed! Thank you! 🙏🙏🙏

    • @DavidBennettPiano
      @DavidBennettPiano  Před 2 lety +13

      Autumn Leaves is a great example! As is All The Things You Are which is another classic jazz standard😀

    • @djabroni_brochacho4644
      @djabroni_brochacho4644 Před 2 lety +1

      Yeah I thought his classical example was Autumn leaves for a second. My unlearned self would've assumed that example progression is just the key of C with a secondary dominant.

  • @lpa9974
    @lpa9974 Před rokem +1

    Excellent video on the Circle of Fifths Chord Progressions! I am looking forward to sharing this with my piano students. I never tire of watching and learning from your vast knowledge of music. Even when it’s a bit over my head, I just hang in there and keep replaying until I eventually get it. 👍 And I would like to mention that one of my favorite things about you is your comment section where you so obviously take the extra time to respond to your viewers to help them further understand your topics. That is dedication and I appreciate your effort and energy. It is so rewarding. I feel so fortunate to have found you and your music channel. Take care and I will be on the lookout for your next video. (I am thoroughly excited to be one of your subscribers!)

  • @stevesatterwhite5141
    @stevesatterwhite5141 Před 2 lety +2

    THIS IS THE MOST HELPFUL look at this topic that I have ever encountered.

  • @JMaxfield09
    @JMaxfield09 Před 2 lety +28

    Here's some examples in C major (off-tonic, IV-ii-V-I):
    Rocky Raccoon (The Beatles)
    Saturday in the Park (Chicago)
    Lovefool (The Cardigans)
    Also "Perfect Day" by Lou Reed (i-IV-VII-III-Vi-iv-V)
    & "Virtual Insanity" by Jamiroquai (7-bar verse: i-IV7-VII7-III7-VI7-vi-V7)

  • @calebfudrums
    @calebfudrums Před 2 lety +67

    my god this is so well put together. the examples are so helpful, the commentary is so insightful… this might be my favourite video of yours yet haha. alsooo earth wind and fire’s after the love is gone is a fantastic example of beautiful P5s too!

  • @ronbergendee488
    @ronbergendee488 Před 2 lety +3

    You just clicked baited me into learning the circle of fifths the best way anyone has thought me thank you.

  • @sinewaymusic
    @sinewaymusic Před 2 lety +66

    Very interesting! I guess the human mind is wired to look for patterns, and with 12 consecutive chords, no matter how pleasant they sound together, the brain struggles to spot the pattern. This is probably why the most popular music today all use 4/4 or maybe 3/4 or 6/8 time signatures and fairly predictable chord progressions limited to maximum of 4 progressions. Four is a bit of a magic number in terms of how much the brain can comfortably keep in the short term memory. Thanks for making these videos!

    • @Trip_mania
      @Trip_mania Před rokem +7

      Not just that, but grouping things in pairs makes it easier to have question/answer patterns. Measure 2 is the answer of measure 1 and measure 4 is the answer if measure 3. And at the same time measures 3 and 4 together are the answers to measures 1 and 2 together.

  • @samcoleman605
    @samcoleman605 Před 2 lety +59

    The transition part of A Day in The Life vamps around the circle of 5ths twice from C all the way to E.

  • @omnipop4936
    @omnipop4936 Před 2 lety +43

    Man, that nearly minute-and-a-half passage starting at 12:35 was flippin' _gorgeous._ For some reason, doing laps around the 'Circle' produces (in me anyway) a sort of "hope springs eternal" feeling - like, a new day is suddenly dawning with each chord change, as you realize you're not quite where you _thought_ you were, tonally. Like being continually surprised and delighted. Does anyone else feel that? Wow.

    • @alasdairmacintyre9383
      @alasdairmacintyre9383 Před rokem +9

      Haha it kind of drives me crazy. It's like the shepard tone of chord progressions and never feels like it resolves!

    • @andersjjensen
      @andersjjensen Před rokem +2

      It would work perfectly for a "We're training/prepping for plot-height mission"-scene in a movie... PROVIDED that once the final nail is in/the last push-up has been pushed/the critical gadget has been acquired, then the bloody thing resolves with a V->I so we can all get a sense of accomplishment! :P

    • @kevinr.3542
      @kevinr.3542 Před rokem +1

      For me its constantly resolving, and the home key just keeps changing.

    • @krishtchin4324
      @krishtchin4324 Před rokem

      it isn’t very pretty, listen to basically any vivaldi piece for a great example of actual beautiful c of fifths

    • @list55
      @list55 Před rokem

      Way too construed

  • @boriscat1999
    @boriscat1999 Před rokem

    Fantastic video. You put together a lot of concepts for composition in just over 15 minutes, and with real world examples. Thanks for putting this together!

  • @geraldfer
    @geraldfer Před 2 lety

    This is so refreshing. I was just looking around for some inspiration to get back on my piano...and here you are... thank you for each word and satisfying note and cords you showed us and played today... thank you

  • @dancollinsandapiano
    @dancollinsandapiano Před 2 lety +45

    5:23 - I kinda.. dig the “chaotic” chord motion haha.

    • @jeromeescudier6071
      @jeromeescudier6071 Před 2 lety +4

      Do you know a band called Cardiacs? some of their songs sounds like this Edit: For exemple "Wind and rain is cold" have this feeling i think

    • @112BALAGE112
      @112BALAGE112 Před 2 lety +3

      Then John Coltrane - Giant Steps is for you.

    • @SirBenjiful
      @SirBenjiful Před 2 lety +2

      Plenty of music both popular and experimental uses chord movement like that, it doesn’t even necessarily sound chaotic especially if justified by the melody, arrangement, & voice leading.
      Either approach to harmony can be appropriate, depending on your aesthetic goals!

    • @pepafonico
      @pepafonico Před 2 lety

      So do I! That chord motion could easily be a Kate Bush song like Wuthering Heights, for example

  • @glazdarklee1683
    @glazdarklee1683 Před 2 lety +3

    This was such an excellent presentation. That so many diverse songs all use the same progression is refreshing, but also challenging when attempting to compose music. It is easy to fall into a comforting pattern and end up simply re-inventing a familiar song.

  • @paulgoodwin1029
    @paulgoodwin1029 Před rokem +23

    That was fascinating. As a lifelong Yes fan I instantly recognized the progressions of a chunk of their epic "Awaken", from 13:43 until about 14:00 here. 👍🏻👍🏻
    Any other Yes fans hear it?

    • @888bam
      @888bam Před rokem

      Yes! Awaken starts on E

    • @markjacobsen8335
      @markjacobsen8335 Před rokem +1

      I've been sharing "Awaken" as a circle of fifths example for a few decades now. They use it in several places, the most prominent being the "Workings of man" section, and then the "Masters of" section into the great climactic part right before the choir comes in. Another familiar piece that uses it is Genesis "Firth Of Fifth", which they humorously refer to in that son's title as they make a play on words on Firth Of Forth, which is an estuary in Scotland.

  • @bornwithoutprivilege2050

    This was not only interesting and held my attention but it taught me more about music and composition than I have ever learnt. You are a good teacher, a better compliment I cannot say.

  • @fathuman
    @fathuman Před 2 lety +34

    Gary Moore's trademark ballad sound is typically based around Circle of Fifths progressions. Still Got the Blues, Spanish Guitar, The Loner, Parisian Walkways, One Day. Typically he'd write a structured melody on top and then cut loose and shred all over the cycle later on in the song.

    • @kippsguitar6539
      @kippsguitar6539 Před 2 lety

      Yes they all sound extremely similar

    • @bojo18
      @bojo18 Před 2 lety +1

      i love still got the blues

  • @feliciab2
    @feliciab2 Před 2 lety +7

    The progression you played at the beginning instantly brought to mind the introduction and chorus of Could It be Magic (based on Chopin's Prelude in C Minor). I checked the chords and it doesn't quite fit but it sounded so similar.

    • @atomicchanteuse5095
      @atomicchanteuse5095 Před 2 lety

      EXACTLY the song(s) I was thinking of! Too many younger people of today haven't been exposed to Manilow's great skill for weaving Classical techniques with Pop style because he was so rudely written off by Rock critics and fans of edgier music.

    • @feliciab2
      @feliciab2 Před 2 lety +1

      @@atomicchanteuse5095 Yeah my mum was a fan so I grew up with it. But I believe Take That did a version of it when Robbie Williams was still with them so I thought perhaps younger people might be more familiar with it through them.

    • @atomicchanteuse5095
      @atomicchanteuse5095 Před 2 lety

      @@feliciab2 Unfortunately, Take That was a One-Hit-Wonder group here in the US. Solo Robbie did better here than with the group! But, I digress...

  • @jongiles415
    @jongiles415 Před rokem +4

    Thank you for this video, as a music teacher, whom was self taught all his life; theory has always been the door hardest for me unlock. This will be a constant watch to help understand this theory. Thank you.

  • @FabianPortilla
    @FabianPortilla Před 2 lety

    This is the most useful video i've seen about circle of 5th's. I've been stuck creating music lately. But this veido and II, V I, have been a game changer. Thanks so much David!

  • @MatthewShawMusic
    @MatthewShawMusic Před 2 lety +9

    The Strokes use all 12 major chords using the circle of fifths on the outro of “15 Minutes” You should definitely check it out

  • @hrdwrd2570
    @hrdwrd2570 Před 2 lety +28

    I find moving between unrelated chords gives that grungy feel to songs. In combination with a cool vocal melody it makes for beautifully unique ambiances.

    • @prettyshinyspaghetti8332
      @prettyshinyspaghetti8332 Před 2 lety +3

      Agreed. I actually made a song with chords that aren't typically together, and I immediately got a grungy cound

    • @SeanLaMontagne
      @SeanLaMontagne Před 2 lety +4

      I have learned to be weary when the words "unpleasant" or "bad" is used in music theory videos (and classes), because of how much our tastes are based on our culture.

  • @johnmorrell
    @johnmorrell Před 2 lety +67

    One of the most profound uses of the Circle is the song Awaken by Yes. It's a real masterpiece of melodic construction and dynamism. I do believe they are also using Fibonacci in the quiet organ and harp section in the middle of the song as well. All that, in one amazing piece of music!

    • @GlobalWarring
      @GlobalWarring Před rokem +1

      The most incredible and uplifting piece I ever heard 🙏

    • @markjacobsen8335
      @markjacobsen8335 Před rokem

      YES "Awaken" is my favorite piece of music of all time.

    • @piadas804
      @piadas804 Před rokem

      My favourite song that uses that progression is Yoiyami no Uta by sound horizon, it's so epic

    • @Don-ri5ve
      @Don-ri5ve Před 4 měsíci

      What's Fibonacci? Apart from the spiral

  • @rabmacleod6331
    @rabmacleod6331 Před 7 měsíci

    It's probably my 5th time watching this video. I get more out of it every time. You teach wonderfully and so clearly.
    I subscribed a few years ago and I look forward to your releases.

  • @oelarnes
    @oelarnes Před 2 lety +25

    Recently I've been inspired by the B section of the song "Everyday" performed by Buddy Holly. It's a true circle of fifths shortcutted by a tritone substitution: Eb -> Ab -> Db -> Gb -> Cb -> Bb -> Eb. Not only because of the marvelous Cb in a pop song, but it's such an elegant construction for a simple song form. I'd be interested in other songs like this, since it's close to your ideal of going "all the way around" with the strong resolution on each change back to the root.

    • @empresaglova1268
      @empresaglova1268 Před 2 lety +5

      What a spectacular song that. Buddy Holly is a legendary songwriter

    • @terrylaw18
      @terrylaw18 Před 2 lety +1

      Guy I worked with back in the 70s/80s. Everyday was his theme song. Opened each show with it. I played hammond c3 in it & later left hand key bass also. Ironically, when I first learned the song I had never heard it by Buddy. Rock n roll songs in that era didn't get much exposure. Later when I heard it done by Buddy I still remember my comment that our version rocked way harder. I did a hammond solo in the bell sounding part and carried through the chorus, circle part. A great song. Buddy was indeed one of the greatest. Check out his version of "Early in the morning"

  • @qydyralikulov4599
    @qydyralikulov4599 Před 2 lety +9

    Good vid, as always, man! Even though I've heard of this circle of fifth thing before in my music school, you've shed more light to it, and it made me look at all this stuff in a different perspective for a little, and you've used all the songs that I thought would make a nice tutorial in this topic, which is cool and spooky 😅 been playing all those songs in and out and you never know how things are related to each other until you try to make connections. :) Thanks for your content man!

  • @deanmayberry9713
    @deanmayberry9713 Před rokem

    Perfectly explained. Thank you! I was struggling to get the concept for the longest time, but you simplified it for anyone.

  • @photoguy4212
    @photoguy4212 Před rokem +3

    I’m a guitar player and this is probably the greatest tip I’ve ever heard. Thank you for providing. You’re incredibly talented and a great teacher.

  • @LuckyLootCrate
    @LuckyLootCrate Před 2 lety +82

    This is literally the perfect video and the perfect timing! I am presenting a lesson on circle of fifths in a few days, and these examples are exactly what I need! Thank you very much

    • @DavidBennettPiano
      @DavidBennettPiano  Před 2 lety +3

      Thank you!

    • @jamesmcinnis208
      @jamesmcinnis208 Před 2 lety

      "literally"

    • @theavitaravitar1884
      @theavitaravitar1884 Před 2 lety

      You should be awarded a noble prize for education.... ive learned so much from you. A new lesson always. makes my day. I've been playing music for many years and this is the best explenation of the circle of fiths I've ever seen. Thank you, You rock!

  • @TSutton
    @TSutton Před 2 lety +10

    Absolutely great to have a video that featured a lot of your actual piano playing akin to Adam Neely/Charles Cornell, this really adds a lot to your videos and I hope you keep it up!

  • @Craigevansagain
    @Craigevansagain Před rokem +16

    Mike Oldfield's epic Incantations album was built around the circle of Fifths. He also used the circle on the tracks Guilty, First Excursion and the start of Punkadiddle. Tubular Bells Side 2 might also be partially partially built on the circle.

  • @TippitoWOW
    @TippitoWOW Před rokem

    I was missing this class for almost 15 years. God bless you mate and thank you so much !!

  • @roberth9197
    @roberth9197 Před 2 lety +21

    'Hold Me Tight' by Paul McCartney/Wings (not the Beatles song of the same name) does 11 steps round the chord cycle. Starting at the D chord at the end of the verse it's then anticlockwise steps all the way through the chorus leading to A by the start of the next verse. So D to A the long way round.

    • @robertgrimes691
      @robertgrimes691 Před 2 lety

      I’m so glad you mentioned this! The is a monumental achievement by Paul! Fittingly he sings “I’ve waited all my life for you!”

  • @jonyates8821
    @jonyates8821 Před 2 lety +7

    "Awaken" by Yes uses all 12 chords from the circle as follows: E, A/C#, D/A, G, C/E, F/C, Bb, Eb/G, Ab/Eb, Db, Gb/Bb, B/F#. It repeats multiple times and as you point out feels very ambiguous in regards to key.

  • @michaelfoster4191
    @michaelfoster4191 Před rokem +2

    These illustrations are clutch; maybe it's just the way I learn, but your ability to show what you're talking about is a game changer for me, nice work...

  • @marcelobruno4084
    @marcelobruno4084 Před rokem

    Buenísimo! David, sos de lo mejor que puede hallarse en CZcams, en relación con los conceptos de la música. Gracias!

  • @TheHappySpaceman
    @TheHappySpaceman Před 2 lety +14

    Great video! I can think of one hit song from the 1980s, "Never Gonna Let You Go" by Sergio Mendes, that heavily uses the Circle of Fifths progression in its, but was almost constantly changing key signatures (I think it had 26 in total?), making it a very unique example. Rick Beato did a video on it a while back.

  • @GeorgeCollier
    @GeorgeCollier Před 2 lety +18

    All I think about is Stick It To The Man from School of Rock :')

  • @agerven
    @agerven Před rokem +2

    Very fine vid, you're a great tutor! i never actively made use of the circle of fifths, but i'm sure to give it more attention now.
    What i found striking in your piece going full circle, is that after the 4th chord i got some sense of searching, and after the 8th chord i was certain something should come to break this circle. See how influenced one is by all classical hits (i.e. the songs you mentioned in the intro) from the radio (yeah, being from the pre-tv age).

  • @jocelynalonso5239
    @jocelynalonso5239 Před rokem +2

    Thank you so much for this video! It was so fascinating seeing the circle of fifths used in real time. This video has helped me so much with touching base and understanding an introduction to music theory.

  • @Paul71H
    @Paul71H Před 2 lety +7

    The song "Awaken" by Yes, from the album "Going for the One," is a song that uses a progression that goes through the entire circle of fifths. (And it's a wonderful, magical, mystical song.)

    • @MuzixMaker
      @MuzixMaker Před 2 lety +2

      Widely thought of as their masterpiece.

    • @Paul71H
      @Paul71H Před 2 lety

      @@MuzixMaker Indeed, along with Close to the Edge. Have you seen the version of Awaken performed by Jon Anderson with an Icelandic band called Todmobile? If not, look it up on CZcams; you won't regret it!

    • @robwilco9204
      @robwilco9204 Před rokem +1

      “I came here to say this, but knew in my heart it already been said.” 🙏🏻

    • @christiandubeau20
      @christiandubeau20 Před rokem +1

      And that album DID reach number "One" on the charts!

  • @etiennelj
    @etiennelj Před 2 lety +102

    The diminished fifth interval “trick” is also simply to stay within a key.

    • @rome8180
      @rome8180 Před 2 lety +19

      Exactly. All of Am Dm, G, C, F, Bdim, and E are technically within the key of A minor. The only "change" you end up with there is the change of modes from natural minor to harmonic on that final E.

    • @etiennelj
      @etiennelj Před 2 lety +2

      Yeah, but the dominant (thus major) V chord is almost “in key” given its ubiquity and naturalness.

    • @foo0815
      @foo0815 Před 2 lety +2

      Yes, and this makes the so-called circle of fifth just a half-circle with a short cut along the diameter ;-)

    • @KrisYunker
      @KrisYunker Před 2 lety +2

      Exactly. It’s also moving in fourths but semantics I guess

    • @wyup
      @wyup Před 2 lety +2

      Yes, this proves that you can define a scale (including harmonic minor) by moving from fiths, exept for a diminished one. All chords resulting define a same scale major and minor, and travel all neighbour tonalities: from C/a to 1# and 1b.

  • @justjames1111
    @justjames1111 Před rokem

    Really helpful and an eye-opener. I look forward to putting this into practice. Thanks David.

  • @K.Dor.888
    @K.Dor.888 Před 2 lety

    It shows that Tension is the most important part of the song...
    When you apply that tension and how you do it is up to the composer.
    Wow,... Amazing I love your channel and I learn so much. Thank you.

  • @boomerdell
    @boomerdell Před 2 lety +14

    What a gifted teacher, presenter, producer, and musician. Thank you, Muses, for sending us David!

  • @scorpionleader1967
    @scorpionleader1967 Před 2 lety +4

    Never any resolution for the endless circle of fifths song. Maddening to listen to.

  • @musachi5999
    @musachi5999 Před 2 lety +1

    And yet again you've instantly improved my music theory understanding tremendously. Thanks.

  • @Gilpow
    @Gilpow Před rokem +1

    The intro to Green Day's Restless Heart Syndrome is a circle of fifths!
    The song seemingly randomly popped into my head shortly after watching this video and, now that I've checked on my guitar: it's a circle of fifths indeed! I remember when I was 15 listening to the song for the first time and being fairly impressed by that chord progression (even though, while seemingly rather complex, it did nonetheless sound fairly "conventional" to my ears). It's good to know what the heck that was! Haha
    Much love to you, David. You're by far the best music education content creator on CZcams.

  • @cakemartyr5794
    @cakemartyr5794 Před 2 lety +3

    That's really well explained. Thank you. You have got me thinking on how to work a cut down circle into a composition.

  • @Zaitor
    @Zaitor Před 2 lety +15

    This is used also in one of the openings ("Melissa") from the original Fullmetal Alchemist anime :D
    I always thought of it as the "Handel's Passacaglia chord progression"

  • @itsdavidpogromsky
    @itsdavidpogromsky Před 2 lety

    going fully in 5ths just makes the progression feel eternal. Never understood properly this concept until now. Amazing explanation. Subbed!

  • @michal1991994
    @michal1991994 Před rokem +1

    I was trying to learn what the circle is about in the past but this video made it much more clearer. Big thanks my friend!

  • @billcarsonasmr5022
    @billcarsonasmr5022 Před rokem +3

    Im an intermediate guitarist .. i love different genres of music n i always played songs composed according to the circle of fifth but i never got to know the name of this beautifull relaxing lovely chord progression i was playing till lately when i came across this video .. thanks buddy

  • @jyotektosgaimur
    @jyotektosgaimur Před 2 lety +8

    The globalist by muse has a very nice chord progression similar to this:
    A/C#, Dm, G, C, F, Bb, E/G#, Am, G/B, C
    Also, a lot of muse songs do this too, but varied like Unintended, Unnatural Selection and Soaked.

  • @mrfudd13
    @mrfudd13 Před 2 lety

    This is the best explanation of the many functions of the COF I've seen yet. Thank you.

  • @joejohnson4423
    @joejohnson4423 Před 2 lety

    I thank you, I love you . For the 1st time, I get what the circle of fiths about. I've known about it for years and just did not get it and you're intuitive detail Explanation helps me understand it. I truly understand now. I used to say what's it even for.

  • @skeletonmodel
    @skeletonmodel Před 2 lety +3

    Such a great video. Well made and very well explained. Thanks for taking this effort

  • @rome8180
    @rome8180 Před 2 lety +60

    One that you didn't mention was "Perfect Day" by Lou Reed. It uses exactly the same progression as "Wild World."

    • @DavidBennettPiano
      @DavidBennettPiano  Před 2 lety +9

      Great example!

    • @eriktempelman2097
      @eriktempelman2097 Před 2 lety +2

      Perfect day, perfect progression.

    • @cleverhardy5230
      @cleverhardy5230 Před 2 lety +4

      And Wild World has the same chord progression as It's a Sin. In fact, a radio DJ alleged that the Pet Shop Boys stole from Yusuf Islam, and even made a sound alike cover of Wild World to prove it. The boys sued, and the court rewards were given to charity.
      And the PSB realised how similar to I Will Survive their song was, and mashed that up in some of their concerts, having a diva sing Gloria's lyrics.

    • @gmcsrbosavl6964
      @gmcsrbosavl6964 Před 2 lety

      @@cleverhardy5230 my ear also found It’s A Sin during this video. I believe Fame from the musical of the same name has the same or a very similar progression?

    • @cleverhardy5230
      @cleverhardy5230 Před 2 lety +1

      @@gmcsrbosavl6964 Something similar, yeah.

  • @rosalinddavies8466
    @rosalinddavies8466 Před 6 měsíci

    Been learning the Viola and these videos have really helped refresh my memory from when I studied music at school as a teenager. It’s really clicking into place

  • @allentaylor3325
    @allentaylor3325 Před 9 měsíci

    I never understood this concept until you laid it out perfectly. Learning theory by example is such an effective method. Thank you for your brilliant videos mate.

  • @enriquepalacio62
    @enriquepalacio62 Před rokem +4

    This video broadened my musical horizon a lot. You are a teacher, thank you very much from Perú
    Este video abrió mi horizonte musical, eres un verdadero maestro. Muchas gracias desde Perú
    👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🇵🇪👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

  • @leanandmeanproductions687

    I have a great example of a total circle of fifths progression! Mike Oldfield (of Tubular Bells fame) uses it for a beautiful 2-minute section of his symphonic-rock work "Incantations" from 1978, beginning around 19 minutes in. I transcribed a lot of this piece in the 1980s in order to broaden my musical horizons from my classical-piano background.

  • @LeJazzfan
    @LeJazzfan Před 2 lety +2

    Whoaaaa... I didn't know you can arrange music like you do colors. This video has been hanging on the right column for a few weeks. So glad I decided to watch it.

  • @lostee2001
    @lostee2001 Před rokem

    This is the single greatest video I have ever seen in CZcams history! Thank you so much!!

  • @jalawto
    @jalawto Před 2 lety +5

    Two things. Firstly when you played the chord progression to give an example of a disjointed sound, it sounded like Wurthering Heights, ha! And, this channel is so amazing I almost don’t want it to get too popular or everyone will end up being a wicked songwriter : D

    • @Roikat
      @Roikat Před 2 lety +2

      You’re exactly right, Wuthering Heights has a wandering series of major chords that don’t connect by normal functional harmony. That technique is used a lot in movie scores as well.

  • @riinak7212
    @riinak7212 Před 2 lety +4

    Real McCoy's "Another Night" and Ace of Base's "Beautiful Life" use the first part of that for their general chord progression, but "Beautiful Life" really fleshes it out more. In much of the song it uses the top line but it either skips the last chord or directly after the last chord it drops down to seventh chord in the cycle (Cm-Fm-Bb-Eb-G, and sometimes Cm-Fm-Bb-Gsus4-G), and then there are different changes in the bridge to break out of the cycle. It has a very cool chord progression.

    • @TMCremixes
      @TMCremixes Před rokem

      There's many songs that use the first half of the circle. "Killing Me Softly" is another.

  • @TatianaBoshenka
    @TatianaBoshenka Před 3 měsíci

    I love how you play during the outro. It makes me want to listen to the very end.

  • @werllo
    @werllo Před rokem +1

    This is completely mind blowing stuff.. I'm not the type to comment usually but man, this whole channel just amazes me over and over again.

  • @NickyWaters
    @NickyWaters Před 2 lety +5

    This is my new favourite chord progression !

  • @matthewmcnaughton7540
    @matthewmcnaughton7540 Před 2 lety +25

    I would love to see you make a collaboration with Charles Cornell. You both have given me hundreds of hours of fascinating music theory content and you explain them so clearly. Maybe you can do an analysis of Hans Zimmer's movie scores.

    • @DavidBennettPiano
      @DavidBennettPiano  Před 2 lety +18

      I’d love to collab with Charles. He and I have chatted before on Zoom and he’s a lovely man!

    • @richarddoan9172
      @richarddoan9172 Před 2 lety

      They have very different styles. That could just turn out weird.

    • @DaveTaste
      @DaveTaste Před 2 lety

      He passed away in 2017. I'd say he was the best vocalist in rock. Freddie Mercury was good too and Robert Plant was similar in tone and range.

  • @josephsmyth3298
    @josephsmyth3298 Před rokem

    Honestly, I have watched a number of your videos back to back. Why have I go to 41 years old with no one explaining things about the music I loved and was playing in a way that I could understand. Your videos have unlocked a lot that seemed like it was coded. Legendary stuff

  • @damianwebzyx6613
    @damianwebzyx6613 Před rokem +2

    I’m amazed how sweet your playing about the full circle of fifth’s was … very well done 👍

  • @caitlynshevchenko300
    @caitlynshevchenko300 Před 2 lety +8

    Love this video, super insightful! If anyone’s really interested in this stuff like I am, you should check out a Circle of Fifths with the relative minors. The progression he showed about 5:30ish is a little different than the real progression. (For example: It should actually start at the top of the circle, since Am has no sharps or flats). Anyways love the video this is so cool!

  • @jehmarxx
    @jehmarxx Před 2 lety +8

    When I made a piece that used God chords, I remembered that I used the Circle of Fifths and tracked chords that are as far away from each other as possible to make some epic transitions. It's a really useful tool. I am mystified why some people still don't know how to apply the Circle of Fifths.

  • @Jjrmtv
    @Jjrmtv Před rokem

    your gift of explaining musical theory is borderline genius. I actually get it!