Scale Finder
Look up any musical scale instantly by selecting a root note and scale type. Supports over 15 scale types including Major, Natural Minor, Harmonic Minor, Melodic Minor, Pentatonic Major, Pentatonic Minor, Blues, and all 7 modes (Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Locrian, Ionian, Aeolian), plus Whole Tone and Chromatic scales. Each scale displays the notes on a piano keyboard visualization with highlighted keys, the interval formula in whole and half steps, scale degree numbers, and related chords for each degree. Play the scale ascending and descending via Web Audio to hear how it sounds. An essential theory reference for guitarists, pianists, and music students.
C Major (Ionian)
Piano Visualization
Chords in this Scale
How to Use
- 1
Select a Root Note
Choose your starting note from C through B including sharps. This is the tonal center of the scale — every interval is measured from this root.
- 2
Pick a Scale Type
Browse 15+ scale types including Major, Natural Minor, Harmonic Minor, Melodic Minor, Pentatonic Major/Minor, Blues, and modes like Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, and Locrian.
- 3
View the Scale on Piano
See the scale notes highlighted on a piano keyboard visualization. The interval formula is displayed below — for example, W W H W W W H for major — showing the step pattern.
- 4
Play and Explore Chords
Click Play to hear the scale ascending and descending. View the diatonic chords built on each scale degree to understand the harmonic possibilities within that scale.
Examples by Niche
Select A and Blues scale to see notes A-C-D-Eb-E-G highlighted on the keyboard. The interval formula (m3-W-H-H-m3-W) shows the characteristic blue note between the 4th and 5th.
Choose D Dorian to see D-E-F-G-A-B-C — the second mode of C major. Compare it to D Natural Minor to spot the raised 6th (B vs Bb) that gives Dorian its distinctive sound.
Explore E Phrygian (E-F-G-A-B-C-D) for its dark, Spanish-flavored character. The flat 2nd interval (E to F, a half step) creates the tension used in countless film soundtracks.
Start with C Pentatonic Major (C-D-E-G-A) — the five-note scale that works over almost any chord progression. Notice the absence of half steps, which is why it rarely sounds "wrong."
Frequently Asked Questions
What scale types are included?
The tool includes over 15 scales: Major (Ionian), Natural Minor (Aeolian), Harmonic Minor, Melodic Minor, Pentatonic Major, Pentatonic Minor, Blues, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Locrian, Whole Tone, and Chromatic. Each scale is defined by its interval formula — for example, the Major scale follows Whole-Whole-Half-Whole-Whole-Whole-Half (W W H W W W H).
How do I read the interval formula?
W means whole step (2 semitones) and H means half step (1 semitone). The Major scale formula W W H W W W H means: start on the root, go up 2 semitones, then 2, then 1, then 2, then 2, then 2, then 1. This pattern generates the 7 notes of the major scale from any starting note.
What are the related chords for each scale degree?
Each note in a scale can be the root of a chord built from the scale's own notes. In a major scale: I is major, ii is minor, iii is minor, IV is major, V is major, vi is minor, and vii is diminished. These "diatonic" chords are the foundation of harmony in that key and are the most common chords used in songs written in that key.
What is the difference between a scale and a mode?
A mode is a scale that starts on a different degree of a parent scale. The 7 modes of the major scale are Ionian (1st degree, same as major), Dorian (2nd), Phrygian (3rd), Lydian (4th), Mixolydian (5th), Aeolian (6th, same as natural minor), and Locrian (7th). Each mode has a unique interval pattern and characteristic sound — Dorian sounds jazzy, Phrygian sounds Spanish, Lydian sounds dreamy.
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