[Dixielandjazz] Re: Circle Of Fifths

[DWSI at aol.com]

In a message dated 11/7/2005 9:15:15 AM Eastern Standard Time,  
dixielandjazz-request at ml.islandnet.com writes:

If I  have understood this term correctly it means the harmonic sequence
where,  for instance, C7 resolves to F, F7 to Bb, Bb7 to Eb and so on
eventually  returning to the starting point. What I do not understand is why
is it  known as a circle of fifths when the intervals concerned are fourths -
F is  the fourth of C etc. etc.

Or have I got it completely  wrong?

John Farrell



John:

It is all about perspective. Resolve means from the V to the  I; e.g., from 
G7 to C, etc., G is the fifth interval (perfect fifth) in the key  of C. But if 
you're thinking ahead, going from G up to C, it's a fourth  interval. It is 
also called the circle of fourths for this  reason. Help any?

Dan Spink