Last Update: 20220222

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From Ryan Naylor (thank you):
For now, here is the first draft of my interpretation of the Circle of
Fifths, named as such because moving clockwise is a sequence of ascending
perfect fifths (a distance of 7 frets horizontally spanning 5 alphabet
letters - like the 1st to 5th note of the major scale).

If you continue to go up in perfect 5ths, eventually you will return to
your starting note name, passing through each of the 12 chromatic pitches
in Western music.

Notice that there is some overlap between the 'sharp' and 'flat' sides (in
the 5-7 o'clock positions). These are known as enharmonic. For example,
F# [F sharp] is enharmonically [sounds the same] as Gb [G flat]. Which note
name is used is a question of which scale and key you are playing.

Moving counterclockwise around the circle is descending perfect 5ths, which
is the same as ascending a perfect 4th.

For example:

C down to F is 5 notes (C-B-A-G-F) C up to F is 4 notes (C-D-E-F)

For that reason, you may also see it named the cycle of fourths when viewed
counterclockwise.

For now, see if you can learn the sequence of notes. A great way to start
doing that is by using it in your practice routine.

I always recommend it in note finding exercises and anything that involves
playing from a Root note (arpeggios, pentatonic scales, diatonic scales).

Play whatever you're learning from different Root notes following the order
of the cycle of fifths and it sounds decidedly more musical.

For more on its immediate applications and guitar music theory in general,
you should check out my video course 'Guitar Rut Busters: Essential
Theory'.

I'm stoked to get this study guide finished. You're gonna love it!

[Thanks to @rynaylorguitar for the comments above that he put on his Instagram page.]

PS (from Dan Martin):
Typical country, rock, & blues songs mostly only have three chords.  
These three chords are collectively known as the "1-4-5" Chord family.

Two Examples in two different keys: E-A-B and A-D-E  where:
   E&A are the "one"  Chords  
   A&D are the "four" Chords, and 
   B&E are the "five" Chords - all in their respective keys,

Observe that, on the Cycle Of 5ths chart, the:
  A is one Chord Counter-Clockwise from the E 
  B is one Chord         Clockwise from the E 
Similarly,
  D is one Chord Counter-Clockwise (left)  from the A 
  E is one Chord         Clockwise (right) from the A 

Put your finger on ANY random Chord shown on the Cycle Of 5ths Wheel. 
  That IS the "1" chord for that key.
  The "4" chord is always one step Counter-Clockwise from the "1" Chord
  The "5" Chord is always one step         Clockwise from the "1" Chord

Often a minor chord is added between the 1 and the 4th chords: 
Two Examples in two different keys: C-Am-F-G and G-Em-C-D
  The Proper (i.e., "Relative") minor is always three steps Clockwise from the "1" Chord.

  In rare cases, the "Relative" minors of the 4 and/or 5 chords are also used:
  ...always three steps Clockwise from the "4" or "5" Chords respectively.

The Blues are often performed with all minor (flatted 3rd note) versions of the 1-4-5 Chords.

EOF