Back-Cycling the Circle

A commonly used device for constructing chord progressions and making key changes in songs involves a technique called back-cycling. All this means is following roots that move counter-clockwise around the circle of 5ths. This is also called the circle of 4ths:

In the following Exercise each sequence will be played from roots following the circle of 4ths, beginning on C, and traveling around the circle to arrive at C, again. There are six sequences and twelve keys, so each sequence is broken into two parts—ascending and descending. The ascending sequence will be in the one key and the descending sequence will be in the next key.

The first sequence ascends the C major scale and descends the F major scale.

The second sequence ascends the B♭ major scale and descends the E♭ major scale.

The third sequence ascends the A♭ major scale and descends the D♭ major scale.

The fourth sequence ascends the G♭ major scale and descends the B major scale.

The fifth sequence ascends the E major scale and descends the A major scale.

The sixth sequence ascends the D major scale and descends the G7 scale (Mixolydian mode).

The G7 sequence leads to a chromatic, blues-style ending on C7.

Performance Notes

Performing this piece is pretty straightforward except for the tempo and rhythm change that starts at measure 15. The rhythm shifts from a two-notes-per-beat feel to a triplet feel. Triplets at the original tempo would be pretty fast, so I put in a ritardando (fancy way of saying gradually slow down) to a lower tempo to keep the triplets that follow in a more comfortable shuffle groove. I included the chord changes on top of the staff so you can follow the harmony or even practice the chords along with the backing track track provided.