Resource
Scales
A set of notes ordered by fundamental frequency.

All scales presented here are in:
Basic
Basic scales are the foundation of music theory and are essential for understanding harmony and melody. These scales are the building blocks of Western music and are used in a wide variety of genres.

Major

7 notes
P1
M2
M3
P4
P5
M6
M7

Chords

C maj
D min
E min
F maj
G maj
A min
B dim

A scale built using whole and half steps to create a Major tonality, often associated with a bright sound.

Minor

7 notes
P1
M2
m3
P4
P5
m6
m7

Chords

C min
D dim
E# maj
F min
G min
A# maj
B# maj

A scale built using whole and half steps to create a Minor tonality, often associated with a melancholic sound.

Modal
Modal scales are derived from the major scale and have distinct tonalities and characteristics. Each mode has its own unique sound and mood, making them popular choices for composers and improvisers.

Dorian

7 notes
P1
M2
m3
P4
P5
M6
m7

Chords

C min
D min
E# maj
F maj
G min
A dim
B# maj

A minor scale with a natural 6th, giving it a slightly brighter feel compared to natural minor.

Phrygian

7 notes
P1
m2
m3
P4
P5
m6
m7

Chords

C min
D# maj
E# maj
F min
G dim
A# maj
B# min

A minor scale with a flat 2nd, creating a distinctly exotic and moody sound.

Lydian

7 notes
P1
M2
M3
TT
P5
M6
M7

Chords

C maj
D maj
E min
F# dim
G maj
A min
B min

A major scale with a raised 4th, often described as dreamy or otherworldly.

Mixolydian

7 notes
P1
M2
M3
P4
P5
M6
m7

Chords

C maj
D min
E dim
F maj
G min
A min
B# maj

A major scale with a flat 7th, commonly used in blues and rock music.

Locrian

7 notes
P1
m2
m3
P4
TT
m6
m7

Chords

C dim
D# maj
E# min
F min
G# maj
A# maj
B# min

A highly dissonant scale with a flat 2nd and flat 5th, often used for tension and dramatic effect.

Ionian

7 notes
P1
M2
M3
P4
P5
M6
M7

Chords

C maj
D min
E min
F maj
G maj
A min
B dim

A scale built using whole and half steps to create a Major tonality, often associated with a bright sound.

Aeolian

7 notes
P1
M2
m3
P4
P5
m6
m7

Chords

C min
D dim
E# maj
F min
G min
A# maj
B# maj

A scale built using whole and half steps to create a Minor tonality, often associated with a melancholic sound.

Pentatonic
Pentatonic scales are five-note scales that are commonly used in folk, blues, and rock music. These scales have a simple and open sound that is easy to work with and can be used in a variety of musical contexts.

Major Pentatonic

5 notes
P1
M2
M3
P5
M6

Chords

C PWR
D maj(add13)
E maj(add13)
G sus4
A maj(add13)

A five-note scale derived from the major scale, known for its open and melodic sound.

Minor Pentatonic

5 notes
P1
m3
P4
P5
m7

Chords

C maj(add13)
D# PWR
F maj(add13)
G maj(add13)
A# sus4

A five-note scale derived from the minor scale, often used in blues, rock, and jazz.

Harmonic and Melodic
Harmonic and melodic scales are more complex and exotic than basic scales, with unique tonalities and intervals. These scales are often used in jazz, classical, and world music to create rich and colorful harmonies.

Minor Harmonic

7 notes
P1
M2
m3
P4
P5
m6
M7

Chords

C min
D dim
E# aug
F min
G maj
A# maj
B dim

A minor scale with a raised 7th, creating a unique, classical sound.

Minor Melodic

7 notes
P1
M2
m3
P4
P5
M6
M7

Chords

C min
D min
E# aug
F maj
G maj
A dim
B dim

A minor scale with raised 6th and 7th ascending, but natural minor descending.

Ethnic
Ethnic scales are derived from traditional music from around the world and have unique tonalities and characteristics. These scales are used in a wide variety of musical styles and are popular choices for composers looking to create authentic and exotic sounds.

Minor Hungarian

7 notes
P1
M2
m3
TT
P5
m6
M7

Chords

C min
D minMaj7
E# aug
F# min(add11)
G maj
A# maj
B min

A scale with raised 4th and 7th, often used in Eastern European music.

Minor Neapolitan

7 notes
P1
m2
m3
P4
P5
m6
M7

Chords

C min
D# maj
E# aug
F min
G minMaj7
A# maj
B min(add11)

A minor scale with a flat 2nd and raised 7th, used in classical and operatic contexts.

Minor Romanian

7 notes
P1
M2
m3
TT
P5
M6
m7

Chords

C min
D maj
E# maj
F# dim
G min
A dim
B# aug

A scale with a raised 4th and natural 7th, giving it a distinct Eastern European flavor.

Major Bulgarian

7 notes
P1
M2
P4
TT
m6
M6
M7

Chords

C majadd9
D maj
F dim
G# dim
A# dim
B min
C min

A scale with an exotic sound, often used in Bulgarian folk music.

Major Persian

7 notes
P1
m2
M3
P4
TT
m6
M7

Chords

C minMaj7
D# maj
E dim
F min
G# sus2
A# aug
B min(add11)

A scale with characteristic Middle Eastern tonalities.

Neapolitan

7 notes
P1
m2
m3
P4
P5
M6
M7

Chords

C min
D# aug
E# aug
F maj
G minMaj7
A dim
B min(add11)

A minor scale with a flat 2nd, often used in classical music.

Arabic

7 notes
P1
m2
M3
P4
P5
m6
M7

Chords

C maj
D# maj
E min
F min
G minMaj7
A# aug
B min(add11)

A scale with characteristic Middle Eastern and North African tonalities.

Eastern

8 notes
P1
M2
m3
P4
P5
m6
m7
M7

Chords

C min
D dim
E# maj
F dim
G 6/9
A# dim
B# 9
C dim

A scale inspired by traditional Eastern music.

Egyptian

5 notes
P1
M2
P4
P5
m7

Chords

C maj(add13)
D maj(add13)
F sus4
G maj(add13)
A# PWR

A pentatonic scale with a unique, exotic sound.

Hirajoshi

5 notes
P1
M2
m3
P5
m6

Chords

C min
D maj(add13)
E# lyd
G majadd9
72:100:135

A Japanese pentatonic scale with a serene and traditional sound.

Iwato

5 notes
P1
m2
P4
TT
m7

Chords

C maj(add13)
D# lyd
F majadd9
72:100:135
A# min

A Japanese pentatonic scale with an exotic, dissonant sound.

Japanese Insen

5 notes
P1
m2
P4
P5
m7

Chords

C maj(add13)
72:100:135
F majadd9
G maj(add13)
A# sus2

A traditional Japanese scale with a haunting and ethereal quality.

Piongio

6 notes
P1
M2
P4
P5
M6
m7

Chords

C sus4
D majadd9
F maj
G min
A min
B# PWR

A scale with roots in traditional Asian music.

Other
Other scales are less common and more experimental than basic scales, with unusual tonalities and intervals. These scales are used in avant-garde, experimental, and contemporary music to create innovative and cutting-edge sounds.

Minor Polymode

8 notes
P1
m2
M2
M3
P4
P5
m6
m7

Chords

C 9
D# dim
E dim
F dim
G min
A dim
A# minMaj7
B# dim

A less common scale with unique harmonic possibilities.

Major Hexatonic

6 notes
P1
M2
M3
P4
P5
M6

Chords

C maj
D min
E min
F PWR
G sus4
A majadd9

A six-note scale derived from the major scale, often used in folk music.

Major Bebop

8 notes
P1
M2
M3
P4
P5
m6
M6
M7

Chords

C maj
D dim
E 6/9
F dim
G 9
A# dim
B min
C dim

A major scale with an added chromatic passing tone, used in jazz.

Major Polymode

8 notes
P1
M2
m3
P4
TT
m6
m7
M7

Chords

C dim
D dim
E# min
F dim
G# minMaj7
A# dim
B# 9
C dim

A versatile scale blending modes for complex harmonies.

Phrygian Dominant

7 notes
P1
m2
M3
P4
P5
m6
m7

Chords

C maj
D# maj
E dim
F min
G dim
A# aug
B# min

A scale with a Middle Eastern flavor, featuring a major 3rd and flat 2nd.

Locrian Super

7 notes
P1
m2
m3
M3
TT
m6
m7

Chords

C dim
D# min
E# min
F aug
G# maj
A# maj
B# dim

A variation of the Locrian mode with unique alterations.

Blues

6 notes
P1
m3
P4
TT
P5
m7

Chords

C sus2
D# min
F dim
G# PWR
A maj(add13)
B# majadd9

A six-note scale with a flat 5th, essential in blues music.

Bebop Dominant

8 notes
P1
M2
M3
P4
P5
M6
m7
M7

Chords

C maj
D min
E dim
F minMaj7
G 6/9
A 9
B# min(add11)
C dim

A dominant scale with an added chromatic passing tone, used in jazz improvisation.

Diminished

8 notes
P1
M2
m3
P4
TT
m6
M6
M7

Chords

C dim
D dim
E# dim
F dim
G# dim
A# dim
B dim
C dim

A symmetrical scale used for tension and resolution.

Prometheus

6 notes
P1
M2
M3
TT
M6
m7

Chords

C PWR
D aug
E majadd9
F# aug
A min
B# aug

A modern scale with a bright, airy sound.

Enigmatic

7 notes
P1
m2
M3
TT
m6
m7
M7

Chords

C aug
D# sus4
E maj
F# minMaj7
G# 6/9
A# min(add11)
B dim

A mysterious and unconventional scale with chromatic alterations.

Whole Tone

6 notes
P1
M2
M3
TT
m6
m7

Chords

C aug
D aug
E aug
F# aug
G# aug
A# aug

A six-note scale consisting entirely of whole steps, creating a dreamlike sound.

Blues Nonatonic

9 notes
P1
M2
m3
M3
P4
TT
P5
M6
m7

Chords

C 6/9
D qc
E# qc
F 9
G 9
G# dim
A min
B dim
B# minMaj7

A nine-note scale blending elements of blues and chromaticism.