Originally Posted By: boydbob
I've never thought too much about "following" the circle of fifths, although I do so occasionally.
I find it helps a lot in sight transposing chord progressions. If you go clockwise, it becomes a circle of fourths.



Exactly. The circle of 5ths, also called the circle of 4ths, is there as a guide line and not an absolute rule. Most songs do not follow the circle of 5ths to a tee. However if you look you will find chord progression within a song that do. For instance the VIm-IIm-V-I found in many songs is in the circle of fifths.

Whenever I get something stuck in the back of my throat, I dislodge it by drinking a beer.
It's called the Heineken Maneuver.

64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware