Circle of fifths chord progressions
The circle of fifths is often used for sequence of chords. This guide presents overviews of progressions in all keys plus various concepts.
It's a great idea to learn all or at least some of sequences for chord based on the circle of fifth. It's not very hard since it follows an obvious pattern.
Circle of fifth progressions – 7th chords
It's common to use 7th chords since they resolve well into new chords over and over. Note that the starting chord is a major (not necessary though) and that the same is returned to:
C - E7 - A7 - D7 - G7 - C
C# - F7 - A#7 - D#7 - G#7 - C#
D - F#7 - B7 - E7 - A7 - D
D# - G7 - C7 - F7 - A#7 - D#
E - G#7 - C#7 - F#7 - B7 - E
F - A7 - D7 - G7 - C7 - F
F# - A#7 - D#7 - G#7 - C#7 - F
G - B7 - E7 - A7 - D7 - G
G# - C7 - F7 - A#7 - D#7 - G#
A - C#7 - F#7 - B7 - E7 - A
A# - D7 - G7 - C7 - F7 - A#
Circle of fifth progressions – minor chords
Major and minor chords can be substitutions for the dominant seventh chords. Some examples:
C - E - Am - D7 - G - C
D - F#7 - Bm7 - Em7 - A7 - D
F - A7 - Dm7 - Gm7 - C7 - F
G - B7 - Em7 - Am - D7 - G
Circle of fifth progressions – descending sequences
The presenting sequences so far have been ascending. Descending sequences is another possibility in utilizing the circle of fifths as the following examples show:
B7 - E7 - A7 - D7 - G7 - C7
C7 - F7 - Bb7 - Eb7 - Ab7 - Db7
D9 - G9 - C9 - F9 - A#9 - D#9
Concepts
Here are some ideas of circle of fifth progressions can be used in musical examples:
C7 - F7 - C7- G7 - F7 - C7 - E7 - A7 - D7 - C7
The above progression is in blues context and uses the circle of fifth progression as a form of turnaround or bridge in the song.
G - G7 - C - C#dim7 - G - E7 - A7 - D7 - G
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