Analogy-Based Theory

Use physics and everyday analogies to make theory concrete.

Circle of Fifths

BeginnerHigh ROI

Interactive Circle of Fifths

Click any key to explore chord relationships and fretboard positions

CIGVDAEBF#DbAbEbBbFIVAmviEmiiiBĀ°viiĀ°F#mC#mG#mD#mBbmFmCmGmDmiiCCurrent Key

Scale Degrees on Fretboard

Root notes of each chord degree on the fretboard

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
E
iii
IV
V
vi
vii
I
ii
iii
B
vii
I
ii
iii
IV
V
vi
vii
G
V
vi
vii
I
ii
iii
IV
V
D
ii
iii
IV
V
vi
vii
I
ii
A
vi
vii
I
ii
iii
IV
V
vi
E
iii
IV
V
vi
vii
I
ii
iii
I
IV
V
vi
ii
iii
viiĀ°

C Major - Diatonic Chords

I
C
ii
Dm
iii
Em
IV
F
V
G
vi
Am
viiĀ°
BĀ°

Clockwise Memory Aid

Cats Go Down Alleys Eating Birds Fish

C - G - D - A - E - B - F#

Degree Position Guide

IV
Left neighbor
One step counter-clockwise
V
Right neighbor
One step clockwise
vi
Below (inner)
Relative minor / shadow
ii
Left-below (inner)
Relative minor of IV
iii
Right-below (inner)
Relative minor of V
viiĀ°
Two right-below (inner)
Diminished, most unstable

Accidental Patterns

Clockwise (right): Sharps (#) increase

F ā†’ C ā†’ G ā†’ D ā†’ A ā†’ E ā†’ B

Counter-clockwise (left): Flats (b) increase

B ā†’ E ā†’ A ā†’ D ā†’ G ā†’ C ā†’ F

C: No accidentals

Deep Theory

The Physics of Perfect Fifth

The perfect fifth is a 3:2 frequency ratio - the most consonant interval after the octave.

Why is the 2nd degree in C major Dm, not D?

Limited to C major's natural notes (C-D-E-F-G-A-B), building on D gives us D-F-A. D to F is a minor 3rd, so it's Dm.

Diminished Chord Tension

The 7th degree dim chord (minor 3rd + diminished 5th) is "extreme tension before the storm," desperately wanting to resolve.

Analogy: Color wheel

Adjacent colors harmonize while opposites contrast. Neighboring keys are closely related (like C and G), while opposite keys are the most distant (like C and F#).

Why it matters

  • ā€¢ Find chords in any key quickly
  • ā€¢ Understand relationships between keys
  • ā€¢ Predict where progressions want to go
  • ā€¢ Master the logic of modulation

Key Concepts Cheat Sheet

Pentatonic Scale

The improv safety netā€”remove the 4th and 7th and it's hard to sound wrong.

Perfect Fifth

The most stable interval, core of power chords, foundation of the circle of fifths.

I-IV-V Progression

The most fundamental progression, found in countless classics.

Blues Scale

Pentatonic plus the blue note adds grit and tension.

Chord Tones

Safe landing notes for improvisationā€”the most consonant targets.

Root Note

The chord's name tagā€”find the root and you find the chord.

Analogy Library

Beginner

Circle of Fifths

Visual= Color wheel

Adjacent colors harmonize while opposites contrast. Neighboring keys on the circle are closely related (like C and G), while opposite keys are the most distant (like C and F#).

Intermediate

Chord tension

Physics= Spring

A dominant 7th is like a compressed spring that wants to resolve back to the tonic. That tension-release feeling is the engine of musical motion.

Advanced

Modes

Visual= Spectrum filters

Same notes, different starting points = different color temperature. Dorian feels like a warm filter, Phrygian like a cool one.

Intermediate

Modulation

Life= Changing rooms

Walking from the living room to the bedroom changes the vibe but it's still the same home. Modulation shifts the tonal center while the relationships stay intact.

Beginner

Intervals

Life= Social distance

A minor 2nd is a crowded subway (tense), a perfect 5th is a comfortable friend distance (stable), and an octave is a mirror image (perfect blend).

Beginner

Chord progressions

Life= Storytelling

The tonic is home, the dominant is adventure, and the subdominant is gearing up to leave. A good progression is a complete story arc.

Beginner

Pentatonic scale

Life= Safety net

Remove the tricky 4th and 7th, and the remaining five notes sound good almost anywhere. It's the improv safety net.

Beginner

Root note

Life= Home address

The root is the chord's home addressā€”it tells you the chord's name and where it lives.

Intermediate

String bend

Physics= Drawing a bow

Load up like pulling back a bow, then release at the target pitch. Force determines pitch; control determines expression.

Beginner

Rhythm patterns

Life= Heartbeat

Rhythm is music's heartbeat. Steady rhythm gives life; variation gives emotion.

Intermediate

Chord tones

Life= Family members

Chord tones are the chord's family. Landing on them is the safest, most consonant move.

Intermediate

Passing tones

Life= Passersby

Passing tones are visitors connecting chord tones. Move through them quickly to add melodic flow.

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The Fretboard Explorers' Learning Journey

Follow the pixel band as they level upā€”each concept is a new adventure stage.

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Deep Dives

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Seven Modes Deep Dive

Advanced

Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, Locrian

Modes are music's color filtersā€”same notes, different starting points, totally different moods.

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CAGED System

Intermediate

Connect the fretboard with five open chord shapes.

The C, A, G, E, D shapes are five linked cages covering the fretboard.

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Chord Shape Guide

Beginner

27 chord shapes, memory tips, and usage scenarios

From open chords to jazz voicings, with diagrams and memory cues.

Related

Chord Progression Library

Apply theory to real-world progressions.

Fretboard Memory

Find these scales and chords on the neck.

Lick Practice

Apply these concepts through licks.

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