The Steel Guitar Forum

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Clockwise the intervals are 5ths. Counter-clockwise, they're 4ths.

If you ever need to know the names of the 1 4 5 chords for a certain key, they are on either side of the key name on the circle. The 4 is counter-clockwise from the 1 and the 5 is clockwise from the 1. For example, in G the 4 chord is C and the 5 chord is D.

Memorize this thing. It's very useful to know!

Memorize this thing. It's very useful to know!

Not to get picky with my pal, b0b, but instead of 'memorizing' the circle, which really is just a map of some ordered information, I find it better to just understand the underlying principle, so that you can re-create it on your own any time you need to (rather than try to 'remember it' per se). So, the main use of this (at least as far as I know) is to tell you the 1, 4, and 5 chords in any given key. By now, I've memorized them, but before I had them down, I'd simply count my way up the scale to them. So, in the key of C, the 4 chord would be the fourth letter up the C major scale (C,D,E,F: aha, it's 'F') and the 5 chord would be the next one (G). Done. You can do that for any key you need to know the 1, 4, 5 in (which would be for just about every song in western music, though you do have to know which letters to sharp or flat along the way).

Now, you can put all this in a circular map and you'll re-create the famous Circle of Fifths (or Fourths, if you head counterclockwise), but I find it much easier to just count up any scale to the 4th or 5th tone, instead of trying to memorize a map. Of course, that could just be me, so YMMV.

Calvin very good.
Just keep playing it,
and you will see patterns from songs
here and there.

Once you think you 'grasp it',
try looking at the 3rds of each chord on paper,
then the 5ths,
line them up under or over the root of the 2 circles.

Then try and play thes 2 extra liones as single notes.
This will give even greater insight to the general relationships.

Good luck.
\DD.

you'll re-create the famous Circle of Fifths

Just wanted to mention another great circle of 5ths song: Hey Joe.
I think its very effective to use the circle as a practice format. When i stumble across a catchy sounding lick or chord change, it really drives it home to then practice it, preferably with a beat going, up a 4th, then up a 4th from there, then up a 4th from there... It sounds very musical cause every move up 're' resolves from the last one, plus it works you through all 12 keys ad infinitum. Doing the same thing but going to the new 5th(s) each time also sounds good,, but instead of 'resolving' each time it does the opposite, it sounds to create more 'tension' which is forever crying out for resolution. Q: Could you eventually drive an audience insane by progressing up in 5ths without ever resolving?

custom steel / recordings

Gary G., what the heck is that pictured in your avatar? I've been wondering for a while now. I'm sure it's something obvious that only I can't see!

Hey Terry! The object you see resting inside a shot glass is Jeff Agnew's banjo capo.

terry
the one i can't figure out is Jim Cohens

Gary, Of course!!!!!
Calvin, Jim's "hole in the head" is the most creative use of the hole in the middle of a CD I've ever seen! I love it!

thanks terry

i can see it now

Here is a little circle I found while playing around with Salty dog.
No bar movement required...
3,4,5 strings only...open, raise the E's, lower the B's, lower the e's , open. This equates to a 1, 6, 2, 5 , 1 progression.
This is not rocket science but I was surprised to find it fit.
Now if i could figure out the banjo roll ? ?

Old Bud