How to Use the Circle of Fifths for Pro Chord Writing

    Use the circle of fifths for piano chord progressions beyond one key. Jason Zac connects major chords through shared notes, explores both directions, and adds chord colours over a held bass. Jason Zac from Nathaniel School of Music, keyboard faculty at the school, shares a practical tip on using the Circle of Fifths to create more interesting chord progressions. You'll get a fresh approach to writing songs in a non-diatonic way, opening up harmonic options beyond the usual diatonic chords. It's a short, useful idea you can apply straight away to your songwriting on the piano. 🏫 Courses, Workshops or Private lessons ➡️ https://forms.gle/fsbhFKSgJbZ5xZEr8 ============================= 📹 Our Video Courses (Everything for Life Bundle) ➡️ https://learn-music.nathanielschool.com/ 🎹 Piano Courses & Private Lessons ➡️ https://piano.nathanielschool.com ============================= ▶️ Related Lessons & Playlists 🎵 Music Theory lessons ➡️ https://geni.us/PianoTheory 🎹 All our lessons on Chord Inversions (Playlist) ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrNNL05e9FT9ygtrGwGFmfyvMyGWH52EC 👂 Ear Training lessons ➡️ https://geni.us/EarTraining ============================= 🎓 Learn Music with Nathaniel School of Music & Jason Zac ➡️ https://nathanielschool.com 📚 All our YouTube lessons (1000+) by skill level, topic & genre ➡️ https://learning-portal.nathanielschool.com ============================= 💰 Donate on PayPal ➡️ https://geni.us/DonatePayPal 📸 Instagram ➡️ https://instagram.com/jasonzac 📞 +91 77604 56847 (Mobile & WhatsApp) 📧 Customised & Private Classes ➡️ music@nathanielschool.com 🎧 Listen to Jason Zac Music ➡️ https://riffs.jasonzacmusic.com/ #CircleOfFifths #ChordProgressions #PianoTips Chapters 00:00 Use the circle of fifths for chord writing 00:30 What non-diatonic progressions mean 00:59 Draw the circle of fifths 01:28 Remember the circle's order 02:50 Find common notes between chords 03:09 Connect adjacent major triads 03:55 Compare with diatonic progressions 04:31 Explore non-diatonic chord routes 05:09 Return through a shared note 05:48 Two ways to use the circle 06:32 Hear clockwise piano progressions 07:37 Hear counterclockwise progressions 08:07 Choose a shorter chord route 08:50 Return to C through common notes 10:00 Skip a chord in the sequence 11:05 Try clockwise chord routes 11:34 Add chord colours over a held bass 12:10 Right-hand chords over constant C 13:31 Recap and explore your own progressions

    Related lessons

    Skill Level

    Intermediate

    Want structured lessons?

    Continue with live guidance, feedback and a clear path through the Intermediate Piano Course.

    Share this video