Scale Finder — the Notes in Any Scale

Pick a root note and a scale to see its notes, the step formula (whole/half steps), the intervals in semitones, and MIDI numbers. Covers the major scale, all seven modes, harmonic & melodic minor, pentatonic, blues and more.

Want the theory in one table? See the scale & mode formulas reference, or build chords with the chord finder.

How it works

A scale is a sequence of semitone steps from a root note. Naming the steps defines the scale.

major           2 2 1 2 2 2 1
natural minor   2 1 2 2 1 2 2
harmonic minor  2 1 2 2 1 3 1
pentatonic maj  2 2 3 2 3
blues           3 2 1 1 3 2

The modes of the major scale are the same seven notes started from a different degree — Dorian from the second, Mixolydian from the fifth, and so on.

Worked example

• C major — start at C, apply 2 2 1 2 2 2 1: C D E F G A B
• A natural minor — the same notes from A: A B C D E F G
• D Dorian — the same notes from D: D E F G A B C, a minor scale with a raised sixth

In practice

• Relative minor is three semitones down from the major root, and shares every note. C major and A minor are the same collection with a different centre.
• Modes are about emphasis, not notes. Playing the C major scale over a D drone gives Dorian — the harmony underneath decides what you hear.
• Pentatonics are forgiving because they omit the notes most likely to clash, which is why they dominate improvisation.
• The blues scale is the minor pentatonic plus the flat fifth — one added note doing a great deal of work.

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