Scale Finder
Explore scale structures, note intervals, and view active scale notes on a virtual piano keyboard.
Circle of Fifths Explorer
Interactive visual Circle of Fifths mapping scale degrees and chord relationships.
Harmonic Relationship Wheel
Key Tonic
Dominant / Subdominant
Relative Major / Minor Swap
Rel Neighbors
Selected Scale Key
C Major
Scale Notes
C · D · E · F · G · A · B
Diatonic Chords (Chords in this Key)
Diatonic chords are chords constructed using only notes of the active scale. Clicking chord cards sweeps the 3 triad synthesis notes in real time.
How the Circle of Fifths Explains Chord Harmony
Interactive SVG Circle of Fifths display detailing dominant, relative minor, parallel major keys and diatonic chords.
The Circle of Fifths organizes the 12 pitches of equal temperament music into a circular ring representing their sharp/flat signatures. Moving clockwise shifts pitches by a interval of a perfect fifth (adding a sharp or removing a flat). Moving counter-clockwise shifts pitches by a perfect fourth (adding a flat).
- Diatonic Proximity: Keys that are physically adjacent on the wheel differ by only a single note in their scale signatures. Transitions between neighbors sound harmonically pleasing.
- Relative Relationships: The outer ring shows Major tonic keys. The inner ring displays relative minor keys (sharing equivalent scale notes).
- Chord Progressions: Adjacent slices contain the subdominant (IV) and dominant (V) cords supporting the tonic key. Together, these form the foundational chords of almost all western songwriting.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the circle diagram built?
Our explorer maps sharps clockwise and flats counterclockwise, clicking any note highlights relative keys and the 7 chords of that primary scale.