Scale Generator
Generate and visualize musical scales
C Major (Ionian)
The most common scale. Bright and happy sounding.
Scale Notes
Intervals (Steps)
WholeWholeHalfWholeWholeWholeHalf
Piano Keyboard
Click on keys to hear individual notes. Highlighted keys show notes in the scale.
Related Scales & Modes
Understanding Scale Intervals
Interval Steps
- W (Whole): 2 semitones (frets)
- H (Half): 1 semitone (fret)
- W+H: 3 semitones (minor 3rd)
Scale Degrees
- 1: Root (tonic)
- b3: Minor 3rd
- 3: Major 3rd
- 5: Perfect 5th
- b7: Minor 7th
Tips for Learning
- Start with Major & Minor scales
- Learn Pentatonic for improvisation
- Modes share notes with parent scale
- Blues = Minor Pentatonic + b5
The Seven Modes
| Mode | Starting Degree | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Ionian (Major) | 1st | Bright, happy |
| Dorian | 2nd | Minor with bright 6th |
| Phrygian | 3rd | Dark, Spanish |
| Lydian | 4th | Dreamy, ethereal |
| Mixolydian | 5th | Bluesy, rock |
| Aeolian (Minor) | 6th | Sad, melancholic |
| Locrian | 7th | Unstable, diminished |