About this tool
A scale is a sequence of whole and half steps starting on a root. The scale generator shows, for each of the 17 roots (including enharmonic spellings such as F# and Gb), the notes of major, natural, harmonic and melodic minor, the seven church modes, major and minor pentatonic and the blues scale – always spelled correctly, so F major has Bb rather than A#.
You also get the intervals, the step pattern, the key signature, the relative key or the major key with the same notes (e.g. D Dorian = C major), and all diatonic chords as triads and seventh chords with Roman numerals. Clicking a chord opens it in the Chord Finder. Use the switch to choose international or German note names (H, B, Fis).
How it works
- Choose the root and the scale or mode.
- Read the notes, intervals, step pattern and key signature, and listen to the scale with “Play”.
- Use the table of diatonic chords for chord progressions and click a chord to see its notes.
Frequently asked questions
What are church modes?
The seven modes Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian and Locrian use the same notes as a major scale but start on a different degree. D Dorian, for example, has the notes of C major but starts on D. This moves the half steps and changes the sound. Ionian is major, Aeolian is natural minor.
What is a relative key?
Major and minor keys with the same key signature are relative: C major and A minor both have no sharps or flats. The relative minor lies a minor third below the major root. A parallel key, by contrast, is the major or minor key on the same root (C major and C minor).
What do the Roman numerals of the diatonic chords mean?
They name the scale degree a chord is built on. Upper case means a chord with a major third, lower case a chord with a minor third, ° diminished and + augmented. In C major, I = C, ii = Dm, V = G and vii° = Bdim. The well-known I–V–vi–IV progression in C major is therefore C–G–Am–F.
Why are there both F# major and Gb major?
They sound the same but are written differently (enharmonic equivalents): F# major has six sharps, Gb major six flats. Every seven-note scale uses each letter exactly once, which is why the fourth degree of F major is Bb and not A#. The generator always spells notes by this rule.
How is the blues scale built?
The blues scale is the minor pentatonic with an added diminished fifth (the “blue note”): 1, b3, 4, b5, 5, b7. In A that is A, C, D, Eb, E, G. Because it has only six notes, the generator shows no diatonic chords for it.