what the circle of keys is and how it works. My teacher told me to memorize it for next week and I have no clue how it works and how to memorize it.

Just to get you started - the circle of fifths is an order of notes (or chords) that starts and ends on C.

C - F - Bb - Eb - Ab - Db - Gb - B - E - A - D - G - C

You`ll find that a lot of songs use part of the circle of fifths for their chord progressions, for example, the verse of the jazz standard "Autumn Leaves" (for want of a better example) is C - F - Bb - Eb - A - D - G.

Also - the circle of fifths can help you to remember how many sharps or flats are in each key. It is usually depicted as a clock, with C at 12 o`clock and Gb at six o`clock. As you probably know, the key of C major has no flats or sharps. As you move clockwise around the circle toward Gb you get more and more flats in each key, and as you move anti-clockwise around the circle you get more and more sharps in each key.

But the main importance of the circle of fifths is its usefulness in chord progressions.

Feel free to email me for more advice - I love talking theory!

Oh yeah - my email address is christurnadge@hotmail.com.

It only works in equal temperement though.