Practical uses of the circle of fifths

[nuffink]

A minor second is one semitone, a major second is two.

[Toxikator]

Don't confuse "minor second" with "second in a minor scale"

A minor scale actually consists of a MAJOR second, a minor third, a perfect fourth, a perfect fifth, a minor 6th, and a minor 7th (natural form).

The Phrygian scale is the only scale will ALL minor intervals (except the Locrian, which also has the diminished fifth)

[wrench45us]

this distinction used to throw me off

people who know what they're talking about refer to the one as an interval
and the number of a note in a scale (or chord?) is referred to as a degree

this comes up a lot when you're told to construct a major triad on the 5th degree of the chord to form a some sort of right hand (upper) 9 chord or such

[stevieb19]

The distance from C to D is 2 semitones (Minor 2nd).

Typo here: C to D is a Major 2nd (not minor).

Oh dear, that's a bad one. I'm not even gonna bother to change it. My shame shall remain public.

[JumpingJackFlash]

A minor second is one semitone, a major second is two.

True, but the confusion comes when you talk about C-C#, which is also one semitone, but is technically an augmented unison (rather than a minor second), and C-Ebb is also two semitones but is technically a diminished 3rd (rather than a major second).

At the risk of yet more self-endorsement, my Introduction to Music Theory thread contains all the information you need on intervals.

[Moe Shinola]

May I add a practical use of the cycle of 5ths in the practice of blues guitar? My whole style of playing has come from practicing in this way:

If you start in a good solid blues key like A, then you'll be playing a I -IV - V progression. Now if you play over these chords in a standard blues progression(not the "jazz blues" progression which includes II - III - bIIIdim or half-dim) you'll be starting on the I chord over and over. But if you play through that progression, then when it starts over again play over it in E(a 5th up from A), then every time you start over your I chord is the V chord from the previous time, eventually you'll come back around again to the progression in A. These chords don't have to be played out loud, they can just be in your head. The trick is to play at a tempo that's just a little faster - but not too much faster - than what your used to. I have found doing it this way that all sorts of creative riffs happen by accident and musical ruts are avoided somewhat. The fretboard is a much smaller place to my fingers now, too in that I don't have to think so much switching positions. The riffs I really like I remember for later, and that has become my whole style for playing blues. I'm sure this can be applied to a jazz progression, like "All The Things You Are" or "Giant Steps" and probobly has, but since I came up with it on my own I feel smarter.

[frog_jr]

do a google on
The 'Giant Steps' Progression and Cycle Diagrams
by Dan Adler

Did I ever tell you you guys rock? Thanks for the link!