An Easy Way To Learn "The Circle Of 5ths" Bass Tabs

This tab illustrates all twelve keys using the cirlce of 5ths/4ths.
The circle is a great way to memorize all the notes of each key.

First, we'll start with the C major scale,
because it has no sharps or flats.
Then we're going to go around the circle of 5ths.
for every key that we go to,
one sharp will be added,
we keep the sharps we add as we go from key to key.
this will all make sense very soon.

The layout of this tab is:

Scale Name
Interval
Note Name 
Tab
Timing
Left Hand Finger 

*knowing the left hand finger pattern is very important!*
*You'll notice that every scale has the same pattern!*
*It just starts on a different root note!*

Here's C major:

  |C major scale                    |
  |1   2   3   4   |5   6   7   1   |
  |C   D   E   F   |G   A   B   C   |
 G|————————————————|————2———4———5———|
 D|————————2———3———|5———————————————|
 A|3———5———————————|————————————————|
 E|————————————————|————————————————|
  |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |
LH:2   4   1   2    4   1   3   4

Knowing the Intervals for this tab is important for two reasons:
1) the 5th interval will be the root note of our next key.
2) the 7th interval (of the next key) will be where the sharp is added.

The fifth of C major is G,
So the next key in the circle of fifths is G major.

 |G major scale                    |
 |1   2   3   4   |5   6   7   1   |
 |G   A   B   C   |D   E   F#  G   |
G|————————————————|————————————————|
D|————————————————|————2———4———5———|
A|————————2———3———|5———————————————|
E|3———5———————————|————————————————|
 |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |

Notice the F has been raised to F#.
That is because F# is the 7th of G major.

The fifth of G major is D,
So the next key in the circle of fifths is D major.

 |D major scale                    |
 |1   2   3   4   |5   6   7   1   |
 |D   E   F#  G   |A   B   C#  D   |
G|————————————————|————4———6———7———|
D|————————4———5———|7———————————————|
A|5———7———————————|————————————————|
E|————————————————|————————————————|
 |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |

Notice the C has been raised to C#.
That is because C# is the 7th of D major.
also notice the F# remains.
we do not get rid of any previous sharps!

The fifth of D major is A,
So the next key in the circle of fifths is A major.

 |A major scale                    |
 |1   2   3   4   |5   6   7   1   |
 |A   B   C#  D   |E   F#  G#  A   |
G|————————————————|————————————————|
D|————————————————|————4———6———7———|
A|————————4———5———|7———————————————|
E|5———7———————————|————————————————|
 |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |

The fifth of A major is E,
So the next key in the circle of fifths is E major.

 |E major scale                    |
 |1   2   3   4   |5   6   7   1   |
 |E   F#  G#  A   |B   C#  D#  E   |
G|————————————————|————6———8———9———|
D|————————6———7———|9———————————————|
A|7———9———————————|————————————————|
E|————————————————|————————————————|
 |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |

The fifth of E major is B,
So the next key in the circle of fifths is B major.

 |B major scale                    |
 |1   2   3   4   |5   6   7   1   |
 |B   C#  D#  E   |F#  G#  A#  B   |
G|————————————————|————————————————|
D|————————————————|————6———8———9———|
A|————————6———7———|9———————————————|
E|7———9———————————|————————————————|
 |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |

you can also play B major here:

 |B major scale                    |
 |1   2   3   4   |5   6   7   1   |
 |B   C#  D#  E   |F#  G#  A#  B   |
G|————————————————|————1———3———4———|
D|————————1———2———|4———————————————|
A|2———4———————————|————————————————|
E|————————————————|————————————————|
 |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |

The fifth of B major is F#,
So the next key in the circle of fifths is F# major.

 |F# major scale                   |
 |1   2   3   4   |5   6   7   1   |
 |F#  G#  A#  B   |C#  D#  E#  F#  |
G|————————————————|————————————————|
D|————————————————|————1———3———4———|
A|————————1———2———|4———————————————|
E|2———4———————————|————————————————|
 |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |

*E# = F*
the reason we call it E# instead of F is cuz:
you only want to use a letter once.
this is the annoying thing about this key.
You either get use to it...or don't play in it.

Now that we've reached the bottom of the circle,
we're going to start back at C major and use the circle of 4ths.
here's where we figure out the flat keys.

The way we figure this out:
1) the 4th interval will be the root note of our next key.
2) the 4th interval (of the next key) will be where the flat is added.

Here's another place where you can play C major:

  |C major scale                    |
  |1   2   3   4   |5   6   7   1   |
  |C   D   E   F   |G   A   B   C   |
 G|————————————————|————————————————|
 D|————————————————|————7———9———10——|
 A|————————7———8———|10——————————————|
 E|8———10——————————|————————————————|
  |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |
LH:2   4   1   2    4   1   3   4

The fourth of C major is F,
So the next key in the circle of fourths is F major.

 |F major scale                    |
 |1   2   3   4   |5   6   7   1   | 
 |F   G   A   Bb  |C   D   E   F   |  
G|————————————————|————7———9———10——|
D|————————7———8———|10——————————————|
A|8———10——————————|————————————————|
E|————————————————|————————————————|
 |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |

Notice the B is lowered to a Bb.
That is because Bb is the Fourth of F.

The fourth of F major is Bb,
So the next key in the circle of fourths is Bb major.

 |Bb major scale                   |
 |1   2   3   4   |5   6   7   1   |
 |Bb  C   D   Eb  |F   G   A   Bb  |
G|————————————————|————————————————|
D|————————————————|————5———7———8———|
A|————————5———6———|8———————————————|
E|6———8———————————|————————————————|
 |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |

The fourth of Bb major is Eb,
So the next key in the circle of fourths is Eb major.

 |Eb major scale                   |
 |1   2   3   4   |5   6   7   1   |
 |Eb  F   G   Ab  |Bb  C   D   Eb  |
G|————————————————|————5———7———8———|
D|————————5———6———|8———————————————|
A|6———8———————————|————————————————|
E|————————————————|————————————————|
 |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |

The fourth of Eb major is Ab,
So the next key in the circle of fourths is Ab major.

 |Ab major scale                   |
 |1   2   3   4   |5   6   7   1   |
 |Ab  Bb  C   Db  |Eb  F   G   Ab  |
G|————————————————|————————————————|
D|————————————————|————3———5———6———|
A|————————3———4———|6———————————————|
E|4———6———————————|————————————————|
 |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |

The fourth of Ab major is Db,
So the next key in the circle of fourths is Db major.

 |Db major scale                   |
 |1   2   3   4   |5   6   7   1   |
 |Db  Eb  F   Gb  |Ab  Bb  C   Db  |
G|————————————————|————3———5———6———|
D|————————3———4———|6———————————————|
A|4———6———————————|————————————————|
E|————————————————|————————————————|
 |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |

The fourth of Db major is Gb,
So the next key in the cirlce of fourths is Gb major.

 |Gb major scale                   |
 |1   2   3   4   |5   6   7   1   |
 |Gb  Ab  Bb  Cb  |Db  Eb  F   Gb  |
G|————————————————|————————————————|
D|————————————————|————1———3———4———|
A|————————1———2———|4———————————————|
E|2———4———————————|————————————————|
 |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |

*Cb = B*
the reason we call it Cb instead of B is cuz:
you only want to use a letter once.
this is the annoying thing about this key.
You either get use to it...or don't play in it.

Gb major is also F# major
They're both really annoying keys.
pick whichever one you think makes more sense.

I hope that this tab has been helpful.
please give me constructive criticism.
thanks!

—Just3boyz

How to Read Bass Tabs

Bass tablature (tabs) is an easy way to learn songs without needing to read traditional sheet music. Here’s a quick guide to understanding the symbols and techniques commonly found in tabs:

1. The Basics

Strings and Frets:
Each line in a tab represents a string on your bass:
- The top line is the highest-pitched string (G on a 4-string bass).
- The bottom line is the lowest-pitched string (E on a 4-string bass).
Numbers on the lines indicate which fret to press. For example:
```
G|-------------------|

D|-------------------|

A|---3---------------|

E|-------------------|

            
```
This means you play the 3rd fret on the A string.

2. Common Techniques

Hammer-On (h):
Play the first note by picking it, then press down on a higher fret with another finger without picking again.
```
G|-------------------|

D|-------5h7---------|

            
```
Pull-Off (p):
Pluck a note and then "pull off" your finger to let a lower fret ring.
```
G|-------------------|

D|-------7p5---------|

            
```
Slide (/ or \):
Move your finger up (/) or down (\) the fretboard while maintaining pressure.
```
G|-------------------|

D|-------5/7---------|

            
```

3. Advanced Techniques

Bend (b): Push the string up or down to raise the pitch. Example: G|-------7b9---------|
Vibrato (~): Shake the string slightly after playing a note to create a vibrating sound. Example: G|-------7~----------|
Muted Notes (x): Rest your finger lightly on the string without pressing a fret and pluck for a percussive "click" sound.

4. Rhythm and Timing

Tabs don’t always indicate timing, so listen to the song while reading the tab. Wider spaces between numbers mean longer pauses, while closer numbers indicate quicker notes.

5. Slap and Pop

Slap (s): Strike the string with the side of your thumb for a percussive sound.
Pop (p): Pull the string away from the fretboard and let it snap back.

Practice Makes Perfect

Tabs are a great tool to learn songs, but mastering the techniques takes practice. Listen carefully to the original track and play along to lock in the rhythm. Don’t rush — smooth, accurate playing is more important than speed. Happy jamming! 🎸

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Bass Lessons — An easy way to learn "The Circle of 5ths" bass tabs