Circle of Fifths

Music pages [1] [2] [3]

Song Writing 101 with chord progressions

Step by Step:
Chords, Strum, Notes, Words

Choose a chord
Major: C, G, D, A, or E
Minor: Em, Am, Dm, or Gm

Choose a strum [1] [2]
Country
Rock'n'Roll
Reggae
Blue Grass

Choose some notes
Use the notes on the 4 middle strings of a guitar
Runs
Pitch contrast: low => high OR high => low
Repetition of musical phrases
Choose some more notes

Choose some words
Keep the emphasis natural (NOT on prepositions)

Choose a second chord in the key of G
Option 1: C or D leading into a 3-chord song
Option 2: Dm, Am, Em, or Bm
Option 3: F, B7, Cm, or F#m

Frets and Fractions:
Major Scales

open 2nd 4th 5th 7th 9th 11th 12th ...
1 8/9 4/5 3/4 2/3 3/5 8/15 1/2

Playing a major scale
on one string

Fingering Pattern (using 1 finger)
1 3 5 6 8 10 12 13 ...
Broken Down into 3 Parts (using 4 fingers)
1 3 1 2 4 1 3 4 ...

Fingering Pattern (using 1 finger)
1	3	5	6	8	10	12	13 ...
Broken Down into 3 Parts (using 4 fingers)
1	3	1	2	4	1	3	4 ...

Guitar Chords

Which of these (open) guitar chords can you play?

The Enhanced Circle of Fifths

Index to songs
Angie ... C
Cherry ... C
Cowgirl in the Sand ... C

Crossroads ... A
City of New Orleans ... G
The Cup Song ... C

A

A
Holding Out for a Hero ... C

House of the Rising Sun ... C
Iiwake ... C
Jambalaya ... G
Love ~ 4-letter Word ... G
Me and Julio ... A

H

H
The Rose ... A, C

Scotland ... A
7 Bridges Road ... G
Stand by Me ... A
Sweet Home Alabama ... G
Take Me Home ... A

Won't Get Fooled ... A

R
The Zoo ... G

Index to songs
Angie ... C Cherry ... C Cowgirl in the Sand ... C Crossroads ... A City of New Orleans ... G The Cup Song ... C A A	Holding Out for a Hero ... C House of the Rising Sun ... C Iiwake ... C Jambalaya ... G Love ~ 4-letter Word ... G Me and Julio ... A H H	The Rose ... A, C Scotland ... A 7 Bridges Road ... G Stand by Me ... A Sweet Home Alabama ... G Take Me Home ... A Won't Get Fooled ... A R The Zoo ... G

Chord Progressions
in C and in Am

bVII=Bb IV=F I=C V=G II=D VI=A III=E VII=B
Dm=ii Am=vi Em=iii Bm=vii F#m=#iv C#m=#i G#m=#v D#m=#ii

I V vi IV I
o o o o x
Let It Be [C]
Country Roads [A]

o o x o o
The Rose [A]

vi　IV　I　V
Africa [A] [G] [A] [A] [A] [A]
Despacito [D] [F] [F] [C#] [D] [D]
Aicha [D] [D] [D]

I　vi　IV　V　I
Stand by Me [A]

I IV V I
o o x o
x o o o
Moon Shadow [D] [D] [D] [B] [C] [D] [B]

I　bVII　IV　(I)
Sympathy for the Devil [E] [E] [E] [E] [E] [E] [E] [E] [E] [E] [E]
Sweet Home Alabama [D]

(vi)　IV　V　I
Heart of Gold [G]

bII=Bb	bVI=F	bIII=C	bVII=G	IV=D	I=A	V=E	II=B
Dm=iv	Am=i	Em=v	Bm=ii	F#m=vi	C#m=iii	G#m=vii	D#m=#iv

i　bVII　bVI　V

i　bVII　bVI　bVII
Rolling in the Deep [D]

Last updated September 2024
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bVII=Bb	IV=F	I=C	V=G	II=D	VI=A	III=E	VII=B
Dm=ii	Am=vi	Em=iii	Bm=vii	F#m=#iv	C#m=#i	G#m=#v	D#m=#ii