Scales

Seven scales in all twelve keys. Each page plays the scale on a piano, lists its chords so you can hear them, and gives you the scale as MIDI. Looking for chords? See chord progressions or the Camelot wheel.

Major scales

Bright, settled and open. The major scale is the reference the other scales are measured against.

C major Db major D major Eb major E major F major F# major G major Ab major A major Bb major B major

Minor scales

Darker and more serious than major. This is the natural minor scale, also called the Aeolian mode.

C minor C# minor D minor Eb minor E minor F minor F# minor G minor G# minor A minor Bb minor B minor

Harmonic minor scales

Natural minor with a raised 7th. The jump from the 6th to the 7th gives it an exotic, dramatic sound, and the 5th chord becomes major, which pulls hard back to the root.

C harmonic minor C# harmonic minor D harmonic minor Eb harmonic minor E harmonic minor F harmonic minor F# harmonic minor G harmonic minor G# harmonic minor A harmonic minor Bb harmonic minor B harmonic minor

Dorian scales

A minor scale with a raised 6th. Still minor, but warmer and less heavy than natural minor.

C Dorian C# Dorian D Dorian Eb Dorian E Dorian F Dorian F# Dorian G Dorian Ab Dorian A Dorian Bb Dorian B Dorian

Phrygian scales

A minor scale with a lowered 2nd. The half step above the root gives it a dark, tense, Spanish flavour.

C Phrygian C# Phrygian D Phrygian D# Phrygian E Phrygian F Phrygian F# Phrygian G Phrygian G# Phrygian A Phrygian Bb Phrygian B Phrygian

Lydian scales

A major scale with a raised 4th. Brighter than major and a little unresolved, often called dreamy or floating.

C Lydian Db Lydian D Lydian Eb Lydian E Lydian F Lydian Gb Lydian G Lydian Ab Lydian A Lydian Bb Lydian B Lydian

Mixolydian scales

A major scale with a lowered 7th. Major, but with a bluesy, laid-back edge.

C Mixolydian C# Mixolydian D Mixolydian Eb Mixolydian E Mixolydian F Mixolydian F# Mixolydian G Mixolydian Ab Mixolydian A Mixolydian Bb Mixolydian B Mixolydian