The circle of fifths.
A map of the 12 major keys. Move one step clockwise and you go up a perfect fifth. The inner ring shows each key's relative minor.
Keys that travel
well together.
A perfect fifth is a distance of seven semitones. Start at C and move clockwise: C to G, then G to D. Each step adds one sharp to the key signature. Move counterclockwise by fifths and each step adds a flat.
Keys close together on the circle share most of their notes. That makes the circle a useful map for choosing chords, changing keys, and writing songs.
What is a relative minor?
Every major key has a relative minor that uses the same seven notes and the same key signature, but treats a different note as home. Find it on the inner ring.
For example, C major and A minor both use the white keys. C major feels resolved on C; A minor feels resolved on A. In a major scale, the relative minor starts on the sixth note. You can also find it by moving down three semitones from the major key's root.
Quick memory trick
Clockwise goes up a fifth. The relative minor is the inner-ring partner. Tap any pair on the circle to hear its scale.
Try the scale explorer ↗Fly around the 12 keys.
Use your flight thrusters to travel around the Circle of Fifths. Hop clockwise to climb fifths, or dive inward to explore the relative minor ring!