circle of fifths

A form of cycle of fifths — A sequence of bass notes at intervals of one perfect fifth lower than the previous note. In twelve-tone equal temperament the sequence repeats every twelve tones, forming a cycle.

Ask AI about this wordChatGPTClaudePerplexityGoogle AIGrok

Meanings

nouncircle of fifths (plural circles of fifths)

plural circles of fifths

  1. alternativeAlternative form of cycle of fifths.
    1 more example

    The sharp side of the circle of fifths can be read off directly from the white keys on a piano's octave (by making the appropriate jumps): Do–So–Re–La–Mi–Ti–Fi. Also, the flat side of the circle of fifths can almost be read off entirely from the black keys on a piano's octave (with the exception of Fa): Do–Fa–Te–Me–Le–Ra–Se.

Cite this entry
APA

circle of fifths. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/circle%20of%20fifths

MLA

“circle of fifths.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/circle%20of%20fifths. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “circle of fifths,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/circle%20of%20fifths.

Source: circle of fifths on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.