Q: I never understood the circle of fifths Also why is it fifths and fiths?
A: i think if you look at keys, like the key of C, ..... then look at the key of G. you'll notice that the key of G uses exactly the same notes as the key of C but you only have to change one note. then if you look at the key of D (which is in the same relation from G as G was from C) you'll notice again that D contains almost exactly the same notes as G, but you just have to change one note. and so on. the next key in the same pattern would be A. again, you only have to change one note from the key of D to get the key of A. each time you're adding a sharp, and it's always in the same position relative to the new key (it's always the 7th degree). perhaps the circle of fifths seems a little more useful now. it goes the other way too, except instead of adding a sharp you are taking away a sharp, or if there's none left then a flat gets added