Scale Finder

Shows the notes, interval formula, key signature, piano and fretboard positions, diatonic chords, related keys and circle of fifths of a chosen tonic and scale.

How to use

1. Press a "Tonic (root)" button and choose a "Scale". "Auto" spells sharps or flats by key; ♯ or ♭ forces that spelling.
2. The notes, "Interval formula", "Key signature" and piano keys appear at once. "Play ascending" plays the scale.
3. Under "Fretboard" choose guitar, bass or ukulele to see the scale on frets 0 to 15.
4. Press a chord under "Diatonic chords" to open it in the chord finder; press a box under "Related keys" to switch key.
5. Under "Find a scale from melody notes" choose 2 or more notes to list the scales that contain them all.

How it works

• A scale is defined by degrees above the tonic (major 1-2-3-4-5-6-7, natural minor 1-2-b3-4-5-b6-b7 …) and spelled by counting letters, so F major has Bb and F# harmonic minor has E#.
• Key signatures exist for major, minor and modal scales only; a mode uses its parent major key. Whole tone and diminished scales show none.
• Diatonic chords stack thirds on each note of a seven-note scale. Upper-case numerals are major, lower-case minor, ° diminished, + augmented.
• Tunings are guitar E-A-D-G-B-E, bass E-A-D-G, ukulele G-C-E-A. Settings are kept in this browser.

Questions and answers

What are the diatonic chords of C major?

C, Dm, Em, F, G, Am, Bdim; as sevenths Cmaj7, Dm7, Em7, Fmaj7, G7, Am7, Bm7b5.

What notes are in A harmonic minor?

A, B, C, D, E, F, G#: the seventh of the natural minor raised a half step (W-H-W-W-H-W+H-H).

Relative key or parallel key?

The relative key shares the signature (Eb major → C minor); the parallel key shares the tonic (Eb major → Eb minor).

How many sharps does D major have?

Two, F# and C#. Sharps are added F, C, G, D, A, E, B; flats B, E, A, D, G, C, F.

Why no diatonic chords for a pentatonic scale?

They are built only on seven-note scales. Notes and fretboard positions are still shown.