Interactive circle of fifths: key signatures, relative minors and chords

The circle of fifths arranges the 12 major keys so that each one differs from its neighbours by a single sharp or flat. Pick a key to see its key signature, its relative minor and the chords that belong to it, then play those chords on your instrument.

Read neighbouring keys

From C, moving through G, D, A and E adds one sharp at each step. Moving the other way through F, B-flat, E-flat and A-flat adds one flat at each step, so neighbouring keys share six of their seven notes.

Find the relative minor

The relative minor starts on the sixth note of the major scale. C major and A minor share a key signature with no sharps or flats. G major and E minor share one sharp. A shared key signature does not mean the music has the same tonal centre: listen for the note that feels like home.

Turn the diagram into chords

In C major, play C–F–G–C. Then try G–C–D–G in G major. These are I–IV–V–I progressions in different keys. On the circle, the I, IV and V chords of any key sit side by side: F, C and G around C, or C, G and D around G.

One small practice task

Choose a familiar key, name its relative minor, and play a short progression. Keep the rhythm simple enough to listen to the harmony. Use the chord and scale tools when you want to inspect the notes more closely.