All About KEYS, SCALES and the CIRCLE of FIFTHS

Uploaded December 2020 | Updated September 2026, 4 hours ago

Answers to questions like:
What is a key?
What is a scale?
How can I use it?
Which chords in what key?
What is the circle of fifths?
Guitar music theory explained with easy to understand graphics and animations in the QJamTracks way. All this in less than 18 minutes!

0:00 Introduction
0:35 The notes
1:33 Sharps & flats
2:40 Playing in the key of…
3:17 The major scale
5:18 Major starting on D
6:48 Major scale starting on other notes
8:01 Scales with flats
9:04 Order in Chaos
10:54 Circle of fifths
11:48 Circle of fourths
12:58 Merging both circles
13:48 Minor keys
15:38 Relative keys
16:48 Chords in the major scale
18:12 Chords in the minor scale
19:01 Conclusion

You can support me on my patreon page (also for tabs of the licks played in this video): patreon.com/QJamTracks

Artwork: (c) 2020) Rob van Hal

Photo Joe Satriani:
Hreinn Gudlaugsson, CC BY-SA 4.0
creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Video Guitarist in Band:
Joshua Malic (Pixabay.com CC BY-SA 4.0)
pixabay.com/nl/users/malic_1-16268690

Used:
Ibanez JEM 7vb (www.Ibanez.com)
Ibanez RT
Ibanez SD GR Bass (www.Ibanez.com)
Schecter Banshee GT FR (schecterguitars.com/)
Takamine GD930 (www.takamine.com)
Castilla Classical Guitars
Samson Concert 99 Wireless system
Rode Microphone
Axe FX II (www.fractalaudio.com)
BIAS FX (www.positivegrid.com)

Social Media/contact:
patreon.com/QJamTracks
facebook.com/QJamTracks
instagram.com/QJamTracks
youtube.com/QJamTracks

(c)2020 Rob van Hal, Netherlands

Subjects in this video:

Circle of fifths,
Circel of fifths,
Circle of fourths,
Circle of 5ths
Circle of 4ths
Keys,
Scale,
Scales,
Chord theory,
Scale theory,
Major key,
Minor key,
What is a key?,
Relative keys,
Music theory,
Music theory for guitar,
Find chords in a key,
Guitar lesson,
Guitar tutorial,
Q jam tracks,
QJamtracks,
Rob van Hal
Guitar theory lesson

$All About KEYS, SCALES and the CIRCLE of FIFTHS - Crystal Clear Answers to questions like: What is a key? What is a scale? How can I use it? Which chords in what key? What is the circle of fifths? Guitar music theory explained with easy to understand graphics and animations in the QJamTracks way. All this in less than 18 minutes! 0:00 Introduction 0:35 The notes 1:33 Sharps & flats 2:40 Playing in the key of… 3:17 The major scale 5:18 Major starting on D 6:48 Major scale starting on other notes 8:01 Scales with flats 9:04 Order in Chaos 10:54 Circle of fifths 11:48 Circle of fourths 12:58 Merging both circles 13:48 Minor keys 15:38 Relative keys 16:48 Chords in the major scale 18:12 Chords in the minor scale 19:01 Conclusion You can support me on my patreon page (also for tabs of the licks played in this video): www.patreon.com/QJamTracks Artwork: (c) 2020) Rob van Hal Photo Joe Satriani: Hreinn Gudlaugsson, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Video Guitarist in Band: Joshua Malic (Pixabay.com CC BY-SA 4.0) https://pixabay.com/nl/users/malic_1-16268690/ Used: Ibanez JEM 7vb (www.Ibanez.com) Ibanez RT Ibanez SD GR Bass (www.Ibanez.com) Schecter Banshee GT FR (www.schecterguitars.com/) Takamine GD930 (www.takamine.com) Castilla Classical Guitars Samson Concert 99 Wireless system Rode Microphone Axe FX II (www.fractalaudio.com) BIAS FX (www.positivegrid.com) Social Media/contact: www.patreon.com/QJamTracks www.facebook.com/QJamTracks www.instagram.com/QJamTracks www.youtube.com/QJamTracks (c)2020 Rob van Hal, Netherlands Subjects in this video: Circle of fifths, Circel of fifths, Circle of fourths, Circle of 5ths Circle of 4ths Keys, Scale, Scales, Chord theory, Scale theory, Major key, Minor key, What is a key?, Relative keys, Music theory, Music theory for guitar, Find chords in a key, Guitar lesson, Guitar tutorial, Q jam tracks, QJamtracks, Rob van Hal Guitar theory lesson$ $ALL ABOUT the Dreamy LYDIAN MODE, and more - Crystal Clear Lesson With examples and Tabs. Learn how to build the scale on the neck, learn patterns, see examples of famous songs like “Flying in a blue dream” by Joe Satriani and “Every little thing she does is magic” by The Police. Learn how to improvise with the lydian scale in specific situations, see how the chords are organized in this beautiful lydian mode and create lydian chord progressions yourself. Discover lydian arpeggios, pentatonic substitutions and get to know the Lydian Dominant variant for some nice outside sounds. In this video you will nail the secrets of the Lydian scale and learn how to put this mode into daily playing over all kind of chord progressions. I’ll explain everything about this scale and why it’s such a remarkable asset to you your playing routines. You can play this dreamy, uplifting and futuristic sounding lydia scale in different situations over different chords. That’s what you will learn in this video by examples and well known songs in different styles with tablature on screen. You can support me on my patreon page (also for tabs of the licks played in this video): www.patreon.com/QJamTracks Artwork: (c) 2019) Rob van Hal Photos used in the artwork are Public Domain, CCO licensed (pixabay.com). Backing track for practising the Phrygian Dominant scale: 1001 Arabian Nights - E Phrygian Dominant Backing Track ( https://youtu.be/7THCne3rXsM ) Used: Ibanez JEM 7vb (www.Ibanez.com) Ibanez SD GR Bass (www.Ibanez.com) Takamine GD930 (www.takamine.com) Castilla Classical Guitars Samson Concert 99 Wireless system Rode Microphone Axe FX II (www.fractalaudio.com) Social Media/contact: www.patreon.com/QJamTracks www.facebook.com/QJamTracks www.instagram.com/QJamTracks www.youtube.com/QJamTracks (c)2019 Rob van Hal, Netherlands$ $Dominant 9 Arpeggios: Transform Minor to Dorian Gold! Unlock the Dorian sound on guitar with this clear, step-by-step lesson! In this video, you’ll learn how to use dominant 9 arpeggios over minor chords to create exciting, modern improvisations. Perfect for intermediate guitarists who want to level up their soloing skills. Using crystal-clear graphics and animations, I’ll break down exactly how to apply these arpeggios so you can improvise confidently in the Dorian mode without confusion or guesswork. Whether you’re jamming, writing solos, or just exploring new sounds on guitar, this technique will give your playing that fresh, jazzy edge. ✅ What you’ll learn: • Why the Dorian mode is a go-to for modern improvising • How dominant 9 arpeggios create Dorian colors over minor chords • Practical tips to integrate this sound into your guitar solos • Visual demonstrations and easy-to-follow diagrams Level 5 (of 6) 🎶 Grab your guitar and start improvising with Dorian like a pro! #Dorian #GuitarImprovising #GuitarLesson #Dominant9 #GuitarTheory #IntermediateGuitar #improvisation Tablature, diagrams, examples and backing tracks will be available on my Patreon page: https://patreon.com/QJamTracks *Chapters:* 0:00 Introduction 0:39 Concept explained 2:58 The sound 3:54 Superimpose explained 4:33 Using it over minor chords for Dorian 7:30 Using Dom9 over minor & dominant 8:24 Practical take away 9:00 Final Thoughts *Crystal Clear E-BOOKS with audio files:* https://qjamtracks.shopify.com *Social Media/contact: * https:// facebook.com/QJamTracks https:// instagram.com/QJamTracks https:// youtube.com/QJamTracks *Strandberg Guitars* https://strandbergguitars.com *Fractal AxeFx II* https://www.fractalaudio.com Neural DSP Plini X Plugin https://neuraldsp.com/ (c)2025 Rob van Hal, Netherlands$

How to write complex Prog Rock with Polymeter and Polyrhythm

$Gentle Backing Track Steve Vai Style in Em and D An educational and enhanced guitar backing track in E minor and D major for guitarists who want to improvise with the natural minor scale, pentatonic minor scale and major 7 arpeggio. The Backing track is based on the song ‘Gentle Ways’ by master guitarist and virtuoso Steve Vai. You can also play the B minor pentatonic scale (as a substitution for Em pentatonic) over this guitar Jam track. Excellent for improvising, learning modes, scales, chords, licks and arpeggios in A minor. This Q JAM TRACKS jam track in provides a visual representation of the chords and scales in diagrams as they appear in the music. Extra theoretical information is shown in the video. It is a high quality backing track and handy tutorial (lesson) at the same time. Artwork: (c) 2019) Rob van Hal Photo of Steve Vai and Jeremy Colson: René van de Pol @ Arrow Classic Rock Festival (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Steve_Vai_at_Arrow_classic_rock_festival.JPG) Used gear: Ibanez JEM 7v (www.Ibanez.com) Ibanez SD GR Bass (www.Ibanez.com) Takamine GD930 (www.takamine.com) Castilla Classical Guitars Rode Microphone Axe FX II (www.fractalaudio.com) Social Media/contact: www.patreon.com/QJamTracks www.facebook.com/QJamTracks www.instagram.com/QJamTracks www.youtube.com/QJamTracks (c)2018 Rob van Hal, Netherlands$ $Creative solos with TRIAD PAIRS for MODAL and EXOTIC sounds Follow this guitar tutorial and get creative by improvising with triad pairs for modes and even exotic sounding guitar licks. “Triad pairs” is a soling technique that comes from Jazz, but can be used in other styles of music too. By using two simple triads you can construct a hexatonic scale that outlines any scale you want. From modal sounds like Dorian, Lydian and Mixolydian to altered sounds with triad pairs in the melodic minor scale and exotic sounds like the Dorian #4 scale and harmonic minor scale. All with a pair of two simple triads! 0:00 Introduction 0:30 What are triad pairs? 2:25 Horizontal and vertical approach 3:39 How to use triad pairs 5:30 Rhythmic variations 6:46 Imply scales and modes 7:16 Dorian triad pairs 8:01 Lydian triad pairs 8:43 Mixolydian triad pairs 9:21 Exotic triad pairs 10:12 Harmonic minor triad pairs 10:45 Melodic minor triad pairs 11:27 Altered triad pairs 12:52 Example: II-V-I 14:44 Conclusion *Crystal Clear E-BOOKS with audio files:* https://qjamtracks.shopify.com *Tabs and tracks at PATREON:* http://www.patreon.com/Qjamtracks *Social Media/contact: * https:// facebook.com/QJamTracks https:// instagram.com/QJamTracks https:// youtube.com/QJamTracks *Strandberg Guitars* https://strandbergguitars.com *Fractal Audio (FM9)* https://www.fractalaudio.com (c)2024 Rob van Hal, Netherlands$ $Enhanced Satriani and Steve Vai style backing track in G Lydian An uplifting, educational and typical Satriani and Vai style backing track for guitarists who want to shred in the Lydian Mode. You can also play pentatonic scales over this guitar Jam track. Excellent for improvising, learning modes, scales, chords, licks and arpeggios in the Lydian Mode. This Q JAM TRACKS jam track in provides a visual representation of the chords and scales in diagrams as they appear in the music. Extra theoretical information is shown in the video. It is a backing track and tutorial (or lesson) at the same time. Its also a play along video for learning exiting and beautiful chords. Photos: Joe Satriani: By LivePict.com, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8400888 Steve Vai: Toglenn [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], from Wikimedia Commons Used: Ibanez JEM 7v (www.Ibanez.com) Ibanez SD GR Bass (www.Ibanez.com) Takamine GD930 (www.takamine.com) Castilla Classical Guitars Rode Microphone Axe FX II (www.fractalaudio.com) Social Media/contact: www.facebook.com/QJamTracks www.instagram.com/QJamTracks www.youtube.com/QJamTracks (c)2018 Rob van Hal, Netherlands$ $Daily PRACTICE ROUTINES and EXERCISES for SCALES & MODES This is a guitar lesson about practice routines to get a feel and ear for modes and scales in the most efficient way possible. In a few dense exercises containing three ways to study a scale or the modes of the major scale you grasp the essence of that scale by training your ears and technique. Every routine consists of a (modal) progression (chords with inversions), triad arpeggios of a characteristic chord progression, and a scale run. In this guitar tutorial we look at exercises for the modes of the major scale, the harmonic minor scale, the Phrygian dominant scale and the melodic minor scale. Youll find an e-book with audio examples in my e-book store at: QJamtracks.myshopify.com Chapter selection: 0:00 Introduction 1:26 What defines a scale 3:15 Modal Trigger Notes 6:51 Chords that outline the mode 9:55 Routines for studying 10:50 Technique 12:00 Practice Routine Ionian mode 12:37 Practice Routine Dorian mode 13:13 Practice Routine Phrygian mode 13:45 Practice Routine Lydian mode 14:23 Practice Routine Mixolydian mode 14:59 Practice Routine Aeolian mode 15:29 Practice Routine Locrian mode 16:09 Other scales 16:27 Harmonic Minor scale exercise 17:11 Phrygian Dominant scale exercise 17:55 Melodic Minor scale exercise 18:41 Conclusion Tabs, examples and backing tracks: https://www.patreon.com/Qjamtracks E-books with audio files: https://qjamtracks.myshopify.com Artwork: (c) 2021) Rob van Hal B-roll photo’s: Pixabay.com & Pexels.com Gear: Strandberg Boden Prog 6 NX (www.strandbergguitars.com) Ibanez JEM 7vb (www.Ibanez.com) Ibanez RT Ibanez AZ Ibanez SD GR Bass (www.Ibanez.com) Takamine GD930 (www.takamine.com) Castilla Classical Guitars Mic: Oktava MK-012-01 Axe FX II (www.fractalaudio.com) Neural DSP Archetype Plini & Archetype Petrucci Plugins Social Media/contact: www.patreon.com/QJamTracks www.facebook.com/QJamTracks www.instagram.com/QJamTracks www.youtube.com/QJamTracks (c)2022 Rob van Hal, Netherlands Subjects in this video: Modes of the major scale, Practice routines, Practice, Exercise, modes for guitar, Arpeggios, Scale, Guitar technique, Ionian mode, Dorian mode, Phrygian mode, Lydian mode, Mixolydian mode, Aeolian mode, Locrian mode, Harmonic minor scale, Melodic minor scale, Phrygian Dominant scale, Chords and inversions, Modes for guitar, Guitar improvising, Jazz guitar lesson, Music theory lesson guitar, Music theory, Guitar tutorial, Guitar lesson, Rob van Hal, QJamTracks, Q Jem tracks,$ $Barry Harris 6th Diminished Scale: The Secret to Rich Jazz Comping (Part 1) This Jazz guitar lesson is about legend Barry Harris and his unique 6th diminished scale theory that results in extremely rich comping riffs. The 6th diminished scale produces specific chords that sound great as superimposition over any static chord and also over the ii-V-I. By using the 6th chords and diminished chords from this Barry Harris scale you get a whole new arsenal of sounds that are rich and typical for complex Jazz comping with a minimal of effort. Freebeat 10% discount (affiliate link) https://freebeat.ai/#via=55abbc Please support this channel by engaging: like, comment, subscribe (with notifications on ;), become a Patreon or visit my e-book store to just take a look! My **E-BOOK STORE** with affordable crystal-clear guitar lessons packed with audio examples: HTTPS://QJAMTRACKS.MYSHOPIFY.COM My **PATREON** for support and extra’s: HTTPS://PATREON.COM/QJAMTRACKS **TAGS:** #guitarlesson #guitartutorial # #jazzguitarlesson #jazzcomping #barryharris #6thdiminishedscale #jazzchords #superimpose #improvisationlesson #jazzimprovisation #musictheory #modernguitarmusic #robvanhal #qjamtracks **CHAPTERS:** 00:00 Introduction - Introduction to the 6th diminished scale 01:12 About 6th chords - About 6th chords 02:36 Superimpose technique 03:16 Sponsor Message 04:45 Superimpose 6th chords over Major 06:10 Superimpose 6th chords over minor 07:15 Superimpose 6th chords over min7b5 07:56 Superimpose 6th chords over dom7 09:45 The 6th diminished scale 11:37 Harmonizing the 6th diminished scale 13:32 ii-V-I application - ii-V-I application 15:50 Modern harmonisation of the 6th diminished scale 17:46 Conclusion **SOCIAL MEDIA / CONTACT: ** https://facebook.com/QJamTracks https://instagram.com/QJamTracks https:// youtube.com/QJamTracks *Strandberg Guitars* https://strandbergguitars.com *Fractal AxeFx II* https://www.fractalaudio.com *Neural DSP PluginS * https://neuraldsp.com/ (c)2026 Rob van Hal, Netherlands$

Harmonic Major Scale - Beautiful Melancholic Guitar Solos (Ionian b6)

$SHELL VOICINGS – ALL Jazz Chords with only 8 SHAPES - CRYSTAL CLEAR! Shell voicings are reduced version of complex extended chords like Cmaj7#5, D7b9 sus4, Galt, F7#5#9 and so on. With these shell voicing shapes – these simple reduced version of these complex chords – will make that you can play any Jazz standard or any complex chord progression in a very straightforward, yet very efficient way. How do we do that? Well… we will play only the most important notes of the chords. And those are the tonic, the 3rd and the 7th degree and we leave out any extension and altered 5th. I will show you in this video how that really works. With sell voicings we’ll create 8 simple chord shapes that can be used for all the complex chords you come across. Just eight 3-note shapes and you’re done. You can play every Jazz standard and every difficult piece of music, regarding chords and comping with these simple 3 note shapes. It’s almost too good to be true. Only it’s very real and…very convenient indeed! Diagrams e-booklet: https://qjamtracks.myshopify.com/products/shell-voicing-diagrams E-books with audio files: E-BOOK - Easy arpeggios for sophisticated results https://qjamtracks.myshopify.com/products/e-book-easy-arpeggios-for-sophisticated-sounds E-BOOK - Improvising over dominant 7 chords (using scales) https://qjamtracks.myshopify.com/products/e-book-improvising-over-dominant-chords E-BOOK - Modes of the major scale crystal clear https://qjamtracks.myshopify.com/products/e-book-modes-of-the-major-scale-crystal-clear E-BOOK - Exotic Pentatonic scale for Guitar https://qjamtracks.myshopify.com/products/exotic-pentatonic-scales-for-guitar E-BOOK - Modes of the harmonic minor scale https://qjamtracks.myshopify.com/products/modes-of-the-harmonic-minor-scale E-BOOK - Secrets of outside playing https://qjamtracks.myshopify.com/products/secrets-of-outside-playing E-BOOK - Superimpose Pentatonic scales https://qjamtracks.myshopify.com/products/superimpose-pentatonic-scales-for-rock-fusion-and-jazz E-BOOK - Traids and inversions for Guitar https://qjamtracks.myshopify.com/products/triads-and-inversions-for-guitar-easy-to-advanced 0:00 Introduction 1:04 What are shell voicings? 2:34 Subjects in this video 4:16 Chord building recap 7:05 Shell Voicing shapes 12:22 The II – V – I 16:33 Pros and cons 19:01 Jazz standards 22:15 Chromatics and tritone substitution 24:24 Extending shell voicings 25:52 Final thoughts and bonus You can support me on my patreon page (also for tabs of the licks played in this video): www.patreon.com/QJamTracks Artwork: (c) 2021) Rob van Hal Thumbnail photo: Strandbergguitars.com Used: Strandberg Boden Prog NX (www.strandbergguitars.com) Ibanez JEM 7vb (www.Ibanez.com) Ibanez RT Ibanez SD GR Bass (www.Ibanez.com) Schecter Banshee GT FR (www.schecterguitars.com/) Takamine GD930 (www.takamine.com) Castilla Classical Guitars Samson Concert 99 Wireless system Rode Microphone Axe FX II (www.fractalaudio.com) BIAS FX (www.positivegrid.com) Social Media/contact: www.patreon.com/QJamTracks www.facebook.com/QJamTracks www.instagram.com/QJamTracks www.youtube.com/QJamTracks (c)2021 Rob van Hal, Netherlands Subjects in this video: Shel voicings, Shell voicing, Shell voicings, Jaz chords, Jazz chords, Extended chords, Chord theory, Playing jazz, Jazz for guitar, Guitar jazz chords, How to play jazz chords, Jazz standards, Blue Bossa, One note Samba, All the things you are, The II V I, II V I explained, Jazz chords explained, Shell voicings explained, Maj7 chord, Min7 chord, Dominant 7 chords, Diminished chords, Augmented chords, Altered chords, Music theory lesson guitar, Music theory, Guitar tutorial, Guitar lesson, Rob van Hal, QJamTracks, Q Jem tracks, Q jam tracks$ $6 ways to IMPROVISE over MODES of the major scale! In this video I’ll show you 6 unique and practical ways to improvise over modes of the major scale by using a variety of techniques and ideas. This video will help you to create the most beautiful sounding solos for sure! From a simple pentatonic scale adding the modal trigger note to the pentatonic scale to more advanced techniques like superimpose pentatonic scales, using triad pairs, using the diatonic scale, modal arpeggios and the Jazz approach. *Chapters:* 0:00 Introduction 01:02 Modal improvisation 1 - pentatonic scale 02:42 Modal improvisation 2 - modal trigger note 05:01 Modal improvisation 3 - diatonic scale 08:42 Modal improvisation 4 - Superimpose the pentatonic scale 12:21 Modal improvisation 5 - Triad pairs 15:17 Modal improvisation 6 - Modal arpeggios 17:13 Modes in Jazz 19:06 Conclusion *Crystal Clear E-BOOKS with audio files:* https://qjamtracks.shopify.com *Tabs and tracks at PATREON:* http://www.patreon.com/Qjamtracks *Social Media/contact: * https:// facebook.com/QJamTracks https:// instagram.com/QJamTracks https:// youtube.com/QJamTracks *Strandberg Guitars* https://strandbergguitars.com *Fractal Audio (FM9)* https://www.fractalaudio.com (c)2024 Rob van Hal, Netherlands$