Interactive music theory

Chords & Scales

Explore chords, scales, modes, interval formulas, and harmonic relationships while keeping the full searchable catalog available.

Quick guide

Use the catalog

Use the foundational links for orientation, then search the full catalog when you need a specific color, alias, or formula.

Use the catalog

  1. Start from the foundational links, then open a detailed chord or scale page.
  2. Choose a key to transpose the same formula without changing its interval structure.
  3. Use search to find an advanced color, alias, or exact formula.
Add Chord or Scale
Selected: No chord/scale selected Signature: —

C Bati Lydian

Scale
Bati Lydian

      C Bati Major

      Scale
      Bati (Major)

          C Bati Minor

          Scale
          Bati (Minor)

              C Bebop Dominant

              Scale
              Bebop Dominant Dominant Bebop Bebop Mixolydian

                  C Bebop Major

                  Scale
                  Bebop Major Ionian Bebop

                      C Bebop Minor

                      Scale
                      Bebop Minor Dorian Bebop

                          C Blues Hexatonic

                          Scale
                          Blues Hexatonic

                              C Blues Major Pentatonic

                              Scale
                              Blues Major Pentatonic Major Blues

                                  C Byzantine

                                  Scale
                                  Byzantine

                                      C Diminished (Half-Whole)

                                      Scale
                                      Diminished (Half–Whole) Octatonic (Half–Whole) Diminished Scale Half-Whole Diminished Dominant Diminished Octatonic (Half-Whole)
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                                          Learn

                                          Learn chords and scales

                                          The complete catalog remains above. These links highlight triads, seventh chords, common scales, and essential modes because they support most analysis, accompaniment, composition, and improvisation work.

                                          Triads

                                          4
                                          Maj 1-3-5 m 1-b3-5 dim 1-b3-b5 aug 1-3-#5

                                          Seventh chords

                                          3
                                          7 1-3-5-b7 Maj7 1-3-5-7 m7 1-b3-5-b7

                                          Core scales

                                          5
                                          Major (Ionian) 1-2-3-4-5-6-7 Natural Minor (Aeolian) 1-2-b3-4-5-b6-b7 Major Pentatonic 1-2-3-5-6 Minor Pentatonic 1-b3-4-5-b7 Blues 1-b3-4-b5-5-b7

                                          Essential modes

                                          3
                                          Dorian 1-2-b3-4-5-6-b7 Mixolydian 1-2-3-4-5-6-b7 Lydian 1-2-3-#4-5-6-7

                                          Beginner

                                          C

                                          Connect intervals, major and minor triads, the major scale, and basic seventh chords.

                                          Maj 1-3-5 m 1-b3-5 Major (Ionian) 1-2-3-4-5-6-7 Maj7 1-3-5-7

                                          Intermediate

                                          E

                                          Compare seventh chords, pentatonic and blues scales, and common modes in one stable key.

                                          7 1-3-5-b7 m7 1-b3-5-b7 Major Pentatonic 1-2-3-5-6 Minor Pentatonic 1-b3-4-5-b7 Blues 1-b3-4-b5-5-b7 Dorian 1-2-b3-4-5-6-b7 Mixolydian 1-2-3-4-5-6-b7

                                          Advanced

                                          A#

                                          Approach altered dominants, extensions, melodic minor colors, modal interchange, and voice leading without confusing color with function.

                                          7 1-3-5-b7 Lydian 1-2-3-#4-5-6-7 Mixolydian 1-2-3-4-5-6-b7
                                          Musical guide

                                          Understand chords, scales, and functions

                                          Formula

                                          A formula names degrees relative to a root. It describes an abstract structure, not one fixed instrumental shape.

                                          Context

                                          The same pitch collection can take another function depending on bass, progression, melody, and style.

                                          Transposition

                                          Transposition preserves interval distances: Cmaj7 and Fmaj7 share 1-3-5-7 at different pitch levels.

                                          Useful practice

                                          • Compare the formula, notes, and sound every time.
                                          • Work through triads, seventh chords, and core scales before altered variants.
                                          • Connect each scale to a harmonic function instead of memorizing mechanical compatibility.

                                          Chord

                                          C · Read the formula before you play

                                          A chord combines several tones as a harmonic structure. C major, C-E-G, is 1-3-5; C minor, C-Eb-G, is 1-b3-5.

                                          Scale and mode

                                          E · Read the formula before you play

                                          A scale orders a collection of degrees. C major is C-D-E-F-G-A-B; C Dorian is C-D-Eb-F-G-A-Bb. A mode also depends on tonal center and context.

                                          Chord-scale relationship

                                          G · Read the formula before you play

                                          Theoretical compatibility is not enough. Harmonic function, melody, style, and voice leading determine whether a scale really supports a chord.

                                          Reference examples in C

                                          C · Formulas

                                          These examples give a readable baseline for checking detailed pages, instrument views, and chord-scale relationships.

                                          Structure Notes Formula
                                          C major triad C-E-G 1-3-5
                                          C minor triad C-Eb-G 1-b3-5
                                          Cmaj7 C-E-G-B 1-3-5-7
                                          C major scale C-D-E-F-G-A-B 1-2-3-4-5-6-7
                                          C Dorian C-D-Eb-F-G-A-Bb 1-2-b3-4-5-6-b7

                                          Connect theory and practice