05 The Circle of Fifths

Worship Toolbox

|

November, 2023

The Circle of Fifths, first published by Nikolay Diletsky in 1679, is a brilliant tool for understanding how keys relate to each other, for finding chords in a key, and for transposing. In this video, we look at how to understand and use the Circle of Fifths.

Also available on

Adam Hellyer

Adam serves on the eldership team of King and Saints Church in Australia and has been in ministry since 1997. He has been married to Vanessa since 1999, and they have two sons. Adam’s particular passions are teaching and worship.

Sessions

Smiling man in a cap gesturing inside an oval frame on a green‑orange background with text 'Introduction' and 'Worship

00 Introducing Worship Toolbox

Mervis van der Merwe

Mervis expands on the heart of this series.

Graphic reading 'What is a Worship Leader' with a circular photo of a man speaking in an oval frame

01 What is a Worship Leader?

Adam Hellyer, Mervis van der Merwe, Schalk van der Westhuizen

How worship leaders should position themselves to lead

Graphic titled 'God Loves Music' with a circular photo of a bearded man gesturing during a Worship Conversations discussion

02 God Loves Music

Adam Hellyer, Mervis van der Merwe, Schalk van der Westhuizen

Singing and instruments in corporate worship

Graphic reading 'Shepherding Worshippers' with a circular photo of a man speaking and a 'Worship Toolbox' label

03 Shepherding Worshippers

Adam Hellyer, Mervis van der Merwe, Schalk van der Westhuizen

How elders can care for worship leaders and lead them into more.

Graphic reading 'Finding the Right Songs' with 'Worship Conversations' label and an oval photo of a man speaking

04 Finding the Right Songs

Adam Hellyer, Mervis van der Merwe, Schalk van der Westhuizen

How to prepare songs when leading worship

Graphic: Schalk van der Westhuizen speaking in a rounded frame beside the title 'Exalting the King' on an orange background

06 Exalting the King

Schalk van der Westhuizen

The heart of worship is to behold Him and respond to how great He is.

Graphic reading “We Don’t Serve the Songs” with a smiling man gesturing at a table and a coffee mug

05 We Don’t Serve the Songs

Adam Hellyer, Mervis van der Merwe, Schalk van der Westhuizen

Playing worship songs your way

Green slide titled 'A Big Picture of God' with 'Leading Worship' text and an oval photo of a male speaker gesturing

01 A Big Picture of God

Choosing our songs to paint a picture of God

Green presentation slide reading 'The Golden Zone' with 'Leading Worship' and 'Worship Toolbox' and an inset speaker photo

02 The Golden Zone

Choosing a key that will suit everyone’s vocal range

Green graphic reading 'Simple Easy & Trusted' with badge 'Worship Toolbox' and a photo of a smiling man in a cap

03 Simple, Easy & Trusted

Mervis van der Merwe

How to make it easier for everyone to enter into the presence of God.

Graphic reading “Toolbox vs Game Plan” with speaker Mervis van der Merwe pictured on the right

04 Toolbox vs Game Plan

Mervis van der Merwe

Being led by the Spirit, not our song list.

Green title card reading “Introducing a New Song” with a circular photo of a smiling man gesturing

05 Introducing a New Song

Schalk van der Westhuizen

Practical ways to ensure a new song is well received.

Orange slide reading ‘Heart & Hands’ with an oval portrait of a male speaker gesturing toward his chest

01 Heart and Hands

Learning to worship well in skill and in Spirit.

Presentation slide reading ‘Band Size & Arrangements’ on an orange background with a speaker photo and icons of violin,

02 Band Size and Arrangements

Not too little, not too much

Presentation slide reading “Modular vs Linear Arrangements” with speaker Adam Hellyer pictured in a circular photo on a red

03 Modular vs Linear Arrangements

Know your songs and stay flexible

Slide titled “5 Levels of Intensity” on an orange background with a framed photo of a male speaker gesturing and a 'Worship

04 Five Levels of Intensity

Different ways to get different results for different moments

Red slide titled 'What is Music?' with Adam Hellyer pictured on the right in a circular frame, Worship Toolbox branding

01 What is Music?

Pitch, volume, rhythm and texture

Red title card reading ‘Understanding Chords & Chord Sheets’ with hands holding an 'Amazing Grace' sheet above piano keys

02 Understanding Chords and Chord Sheets

Common chords used in worship songs

Red slide titled 'The Number System' with 'Worship Toolbox' and a circular photo of a speaker holding up two fingers

03 The Number System

Chords as numbers makes life easier

Video thumbnail showing Adam Hellyer speaking in a red graphic about chord voicings for spontaneous worship

04 Chord Voicings for Spontaneous Worship

Expanding beyond basic chords

Red thumbnail reading 'Playing by Ear' with a circular photo of a man listening and 'Worship Toolbox' label

06 Playing by Ear

Improvising and being Spirit-led

Adam Hellyer gesturing in oval photo beside a red slide titled 'How to Change Key'

07 How to Change Key

Be the change - quickly and smoothly

Close-up of a guitarist's hand with a capo clamped on the guitar neck and the title text 'How to Use a Capo'

08 Guitar: How to Use a Capo

Open up a range of new possibilities

Red slide reading "The Christian 'E' Chords" with inset photo of a man playing an acoustic guitar

09 Guitar: The Christian ‘E’ Chords

Become the master of ‘E’ with one chord shape

Video thumbnail of a man playing a keyboard in a circular frame beside a red slide reading 'Classical to Church Musician'

10 Classical to Church Musician

Harnessing your musical knowledge for church worship