​ Notes from The Music Hub June 29, 2026

What is the Circle of 5ths?

I have taught music theory to high school students and college students, as well as to my private students for a long time.

And one of the most useful tools is the Circle of 5ths.

The Circle of 5ths is a graphic representation of all the keys organized around a circle like the hours on a clock. There are secret hints hidden within the circle that help you to know exactly how many sharps and flats are in each key and what they are. When you start to spend time with it, you can see how all the keys are interrelated.

It's like having a code breaker in your pocket.

In my classes, I tell my students that they can quickly draw this circle in a blank spot on their test or on the back of the page and then use it to help them answer the questions.

It's not a cheating method. It's a tool.

I have an entire lesson on the Circle of 5ths in the Scales and Chords Module in The Music Hub. In it, I not only show what the circle looks like, but I explain why it has the form it has and how you can use it to find the information you need to know. I explain the connections.

Music theory is not hard. But it needs thorough explanation. Too often, books and blogs tell what the information is but don't explain the why behind it.

I have found that most adults are not satisfied with just the what. They want the why because it gives insight into how music is put together and makes the music come alive more fully.

The more you understand the music, the better you can play.

This is why in The Music Hub I don't just teach songs. I don't just teach piano. I teach music.

This foundation sets you up for success, no matter what genre you want to play or skill level you hope to achieve.

Thank you for being a valued member of The Music Hub Community!

Please contact me by responding to this email if you have any questions or concerns!

Happy Music Making!

Heather Niemi Savage, composer, pianist & educator

Founder of The Music Hub