Play the C major scale (C, D, E, F, G, A and B) on the piano and count the notes as you play, starting with “one” on the C note. Remember that the note is G when you got up to the number “five.” This means the G note can be referred to as the fifth degree of the C major scale. Understand that if you then begun to play in G and continue in the same fashion, you would eventually arrive back at C. Remember how scale degrees are determined.
Create a chord progression in the key of C major. The main chords in this progression are C, F and G. Changing between this key and one directly next to it in the circle of fifths is simpler than changing between it and an unconnected note on the circle of fifths. Choose a key to which you want to change and understand that you have to get to the seventh chord of the fifth degree of the new scale. The seventh chord utilizes the seventh note of the scale.
Change between a C chord and a C7 chord if you wish to change to the key of F major. Look for a matching note between the key from which you are starting and the new chord. Remember that when working counter-clockwise around the circle of fifths, the fifth chord is the root chord of the current key you are in. Therefore, you can simply change the higher C of the C major chord to a B to make the chord a seventh. Change to F after this to complete the key change.
Use a pivot chord if you wish to get to another scale. For example, if you were going around the circle of fifths clockwise to get to G, you need to find a common chord to both scales. A minor is the sixth (always played as a minor chord) in the C major scale, and the second (also always played as a minor) in the G major scale. Change from C to A minor. Now you have a “pivot” chord, which allows you to re-orient to the key of G. Change from the second degree of the G scale (A minor) to the seventh version of the fifth, D7. From D7, you can then switch to G and settle into a G progression.