Meanings
nouncycle of fifths (plural cycles of fifths)
plural cycles of fifths · alternative circle of fifths
- music theoryA 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.
The composition modulates upwards through the cycle of fifths, eventually returning to the original key.
Translations
Czech kvintový kruh
- kvintový kruhmusic theory: sequence of bass notes
Danish kvintcirkel
- kvintcirkelmusic theory: sequence of bass notes
Dutch kwintencirkel
- kwintencirkelmusic theory: sequence of bass notes
Finnish kvinttiympyrä
- kvinttiympyrämusic theory: sequence of bass notes
French cycle des quintes
- cycle des quintesmusic theory: sequence of bass notes
German Quintenzirkel
- Quintenzirkelmusic theory: sequence of bass notes
Icelandic fimmundahringurinn
- fimmundahringurinnmusic theory: sequence of bass notes
Polish koło kwintowe, okrąg kwintowy
- koło kwintowemusic theory: sequence of bass notes
- okrąg kwintowymusic theory: sequence of bass notes
Russian кви́нтовый круг
- кви́нтовый круг (kvíntovyj krug)music theory: sequence of bass notes
Cite this entry
APA
cycle of fifths. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/cycle%20of%20fifths
MLA
“cycle of fifths.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/cycle%20of%20fifths. Accessed November 4, 2026.
Chicago
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “cycle of fifths,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/cycle%20of%20fifths.
Source: cycle of fifths on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.