The music scale reference shows the notes and intervals for any scale type in any key. Select a root note and scale type to see all scale notes, the interval formula, and the diatonic chords built from the scale.
Scale Lookup
How to Use Scales in Music
Scales define the tonal palette for a key. Knowing which notes belong to a scale tells you which notes to use when improvising, composing, or choosing chords. Each scale has a distinct sound character.
Major vs Minor
Major scales sound bright and happy. Minor scales (natural, harmonic, melodic) sound darker and more emotional. The natural minor is the most common; harmonic minor raises the 7th for a strong leading tone to the root; melodic minor raises both 6th and 7th going up and reverts to natural minor descending.
Modes
Modes are rotations of the major scale. Dorian (minor with raised 6th) is used in jazz and modal rock (Think Miles Davis's "So What" in D Dorian). Mixolydian (major with flatted 7th) sounds like classic rock and folk — most blues and rock solos over dominant 7 chords use Mixolydian. Lydian (major with raised 4th) creates a dreamy, otherworldly sound used in film scores and progressive music.
FAQ
Is this music scale reference free?
Yes, completely free with no signup required.
What are the notes in the C major scale?
C major: C D E F G A B. The intervals are whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half (WWHWWWH). C major has no sharps or flats and uses only the white keys on a piano.
What is a pentatonic scale?
A pentatonic scale has 5 notes instead of 7. The major pentatonic removes the 4th and 7th from the major scale. C major pentatonic: C D E G A. The minor pentatonic removes the 2nd and 6th from the natural minor — Am pentatonic: A C D E G. Pentatonic scales are used heavily in blues, rock, country, and folk.
What are the modes?
Modes are scales derived by starting on different degrees of the major scale. Ionian (same as major), Dorian (natural minor with raised 6th — used in jazz and modal rock), Phrygian (minor with lowered 2nd — flamenco), Lydian (major with raised 4th), Mixolydian (major with lowered 7th — dominant feel), Aeolian (natural minor), Locrian (diminished feel — rarely used).
What is the blues scale?
The blues scale is the minor pentatonic plus one added note: the 'blue note' or flatted 5th. In A: A C D Eb E G. The added Eb creates the characteristic tension and expressiveness of blues. The blue note is typically bent toward the natural 5th (E) for emotional effect.