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 foundational links for orientation, then search the full catalog when you need a specific color, alias, or formula.
Use the catalog
- Start from the foundational links, then open a detailed chord or scale page.
- Choose a key to transpose the same formula without changing its interval structure.
- Use search to find an advanced color, alias, or exact formula.
Results
Tertian extensions
All tone combinations
All combinations and inversions
C 7alt
ChordExplore omission variants (14)
C 7alt(no1)
Omitted degrees:
no1
Remaining formula:
3-#5-b7-#9-#11
Remaining notes:
E, G#, Bb, D#, F#
C 7alt(no3)
Omitted degrees:
no3
Remaining formula:
1-#5-b7-#9-#11
Remaining notes:
C, G#, Bb, D#, F#
C 7alt(no5)
Omitted degrees:
no5
Remaining formula:
1-3-b7-#9-#11
Remaining notes:
C, E, Bb, D#, F#
C 7alt(no7)
Omitted degrees:
no7
Remaining formula:
1-3-#5-#9-#11
Remaining notes:
C, E, G#, D#, F#
C 7alt(no1)(no3)
Omitted degrees:
no1, no3
Remaining formula:
#5-b7-#9-#11
Remaining notes:
G#, Bb, D#, F#
C 7alt(no1)(no5)
Omitted degrees:
no1, no5
Remaining formula:
3-b7-#9-#11
Remaining notes:
E, Bb, D#, F#
C 7alt(no1)(no7)
Omitted degrees:
no1, no7
Remaining formula:
3-#5-#9-#11
Remaining notes:
E, G#, D#, F#
C 7alt(no3)(no5)
Omitted degrees:
no3, no5
Remaining formula:
1-b7-#9-#11
Remaining notes:
C, Bb, D#, F#
C 7alt(no3)(no7)
Omitted degrees:
no3, no7
Remaining formula:
1-#5-#9-#11
Remaining notes:
C, G#, D#, F#
C 7alt(no5)(no7)
Omitted degrees:
no5, no7
Remaining formula:
1-3-#9-#11
Remaining notes:
C, E, D#, F#
C 7alt(no1)(no3)(no5)
Omitted degrees:
no1, no3, no5
Remaining formula:
b7-#9-#11
Remaining notes:
Bb, D#, F#
C 7alt(no1)(no3)(no7)
Omitted degrees:
no1, no3, no7
Remaining formula:
#5-#9-#11
Remaining notes:
G#, D#, F#
C 7alt(no1)(no5)(no7)
Omitted degrees:
no1, no5, no7
Remaining formula:
3-#9-#11
Remaining notes:
E, D#, F#
C 7alt(no3)(no5)(no7)
Omitted degrees:
no3, no5, no7
Remaining formula:
1-#9-#11
Remaining notes:
C, D#, F#
7alt
Altered Dominant
alt7
C 7alt5alt9
ChordExplore omission variants (10)
C 7alt5alt9(no1)
Omitted degrees:
no1
Remaining formula:
b9-#9-3-#5-b7-b5
Remaining notes:
Db, D#, E, G#, Bb, Gb
C 7alt5alt9(no3)
Omitted degrees:
no3
Remaining formula:
1-b9-#9-#5-b7-b5
Remaining notes:
C, Db, D#, G#, Bb, Gb
C 7alt5alt9(no5)
Omitted degrees:
no5
Remaining formula:
1-b9-#9-3-b7
Remaining notes:
C, Db, D#, E, Bb
C 7alt5alt9(no7)
Omitted degrees:
no7
Remaining formula:
1-b9-#9-3-#5-b5
Remaining notes:
C, Db, D#, E, G#, Gb
C 7alt5alt9(no1)(no3)
Omitted degrees:
no1, no3
Remaining formula:
b9-#9-#5-b7-b5
Remaining notes:
Db, D#, G#, Bb, Gb
C 7alt5alt9(no1)(no5)
Omitted degrees:
no1, no5
Remaining formula:
b9-#9-3-b7
Remaining notes:
Db, D#, E, Bb
C 7alt5alt9(no1)(no7)
Omitted degrees:
no1, no7
Remaining formula:
b9-#9-3-#5-b5
Remaining notes:
Db, D#, E, G#, Gb
C 7alt5alt9(no3)(no5)
Omitted degrees:
no3, no5
Remaining formula:
1-b9-#9-b7
Remaining notes:
C, Db, D#, Bb
C 7alt5alt9(no3)(no7)
Omitted degrees:
no3, no7
Remaining formula:
1-b9-#9-#5-b5
Remaining notes:
C, Db, D#, G#, Gb
C 7alt5alt9(no5)(no7)
Omitted degrees:
no5, no7
Remaining formula:
1-b9-#9-3
Remaining notes:
C, Db, D#, E
7alt5alt9
7alt(5,9)
alt7(5,9)
C 7b13
ChordExplore omission variants (10)
C 7b13(no1)
Omitted degrees:
no1
Remaining formula:
3-5-b7-b13
Remaining notes:
E, G, Bb, Ab
C 7b13(no3)
Omitted degrees:
no3
Remaining formula:
1-5-b7-b13
Remaining notes:
C, G, Bb, Ab
C 7b13(no5)
Omitted degrees:
no5
Remaining formula:
1-3-b7-b13
Remaining notes:
C, E, Bb, Ab
C 7b13(no7)
Omitted degrees:
no7
Remaining formula:
1-3-5-b13
Remaining notes:
C, E, G, Ab
C 7b13(no1)(no3)
Omitted degrees:
no1, no3
Remaining formula:
5-b7-b13
Remaining notes:
G, Bb, Ab
C 7b13(no1)(no5)
Omitted degrees:
no1, no5
Remaining formula:
3-b7-b13
Remaining notes:
E, Bb, Ab
C 7b13(no1)(no7)
Omitted degrees:
no1, no7
Remaining formula:
3-5-b13
Remaining notes:
E, G, Ab
C 7b13(no3)(no5)
Omitted degrees:
no3, no5
Remaining formula:
1-b7-b13
Remaining notes:
C, Bb, Ab
C 7b13(no3)(no7)
Omitted degrees:
no3, no7
Remaining formula:
1-5-b13
Remaining notes:
C, G, Ab
C 7b13(no5)(no7)
Omitted degrees:
no5, no7
Remaining formula:
1-3-b13
Remaining notes:
C, E, Ab
7b13
7(b13)
7(b13
C 7b5
ChordExplore omission variants (4)
C 7b5(no1)
Omitted degrees:
no1
Remaining formula:
3-b5-b7
Remaining notes:
E, Gb, Bb
C 7b5(no3)
Omitted degrees:
no3
Remaining formula:
1-b5-b7
Remaining notes:
C, Gb, Bb
C 7b5(no5)
Omitted degrees:
no5
Remaining formula:
1-3-b7
Remaining notes:
C, E, Bb
C 7b5(no7)
Omitted degrees:
no7
Remaining formula:
1-3-b5
Remaining notes:
C, E, Gb
7b5
C 7b5b9
ChordExplore omission variants (10)
C 7b5b9(no1)
Omitted degrees:
no1
Remaining formula:
3-b5-b7-b9
Remaining notes:
E, Gb, Bb, Db
C 7b5b9(no3)
Omitted degrees:
no3
Remaining formula:
1-b5-b7-b9
Remaining notes:
C, Gb, Bb, Db
C 7b5b9(no5)
Omitted degrees:
no5
Remaining formula:
1-3-b7-b9
Remaining notes:
C, E, Bb, Db
C 7b5b9(no7)
Omitted degrees:
no7
Remaining formula:
1-3-b5-b9
Remaining notes:
C, E, Gb, Db
C 7b5b9(no1)(no3)
Omitted degrees:
no1, no3
Remaining formula:
b5-b7-b9
Remaining notes:
Gb, Bb, Db
C 7b5b9(no1)(no5)
Omitted degrees:
no1, no5
Remaining formula:
3-b7-b9
Remaining notes:
E, Bb, Db
C 7b5b9(no1)(no7)
Omitted degrees:
no1, no7
Remaining formula:
3-b5-b9
Remaining notes:
E, Gb, Db
C 7b5b9(no3)(no5)
Omitted degrees:
no3, no5
Remaining formula:
1-b7-b9
Remaining notes:
C, Bb, Db
C 7b5b9(no3)(no7)
Omitted degrees:
no3, no7
Remaining formula:
1-b5-b9
Remaining notes:
C, Gb, Db
C 7b5b9(no5)(no7)
Omitted degrees:
no5, no7
Remaining formula:
1-3-b9
Remaining notes:
C, E, Db
7b5b9
C 7b9
ChordExplore omission variants (10)
C 7b9(no1)
Omitted degrees:
no1
Remaining formula:
3-5-b7-b9
Remaining notes:
E, G, Bb, Db
C 7b9(no3)
Omitted degrees:
no3
Remaining formula:
1-5-b7-b9
Remaining notes:
C, G, Bb, Db
C 7b9(no5)
Omitted degrees:
no5
Remaining formula:
1-3-b7-b9
Remaining notes:
C, E, Bb, Db
C 7b9(no7)
Omitted degrees:
no7
Remaining formula:
1-3-5-b9
Remaining notes:
C, E, G, Db
C 7b9(no1)(no3)
Omitted degrees:
no1, no3
Remaining formula:
5-b7-b9
Remaining notes:
G, Bb, Db
C 7b9(no1)(no5)
Omitted degrees:
no1, no5
Remaining formula:
3-b7-b9
Remaining notes:
E, Bb, Db
C 7b9(no1)(no7)
Omitted degrees:
no1, no7
Remaining formula:
3-5-b9
Remaining notes:
E, G, Db
C 7b9(no3)(no5)
Omitted degrees:
no3, no5
Remaining formula:
1-b7-b9
Remaining notes:
C, Bb, Db
C 7b9(no3)(no7)
Omitted degrees:
no3, no7
Remaining formula:
1-5-b9
Remaining notes:
C, G, Db
C 7b9(no5)(no7)
Omitted degrees:
no5, no7
Remaining formula:
1-3-b9
Remaining notes:
C, E, Db
7b9
Dom7b9
C 7b9#11
ChordExplore omission variants (14)
C 7b9#11(no1)
Omitted degrees:
no1
Remaining formula:
3-5-b7-b9-#11
Remaining notes:
E, G, Bb, Db, F#
C 7b9#11(no3)
Omitted degrees:
no3
Remaining formula:
1-5-b7-b9-#11
Remaining notes:
C, G, Bb, Db, F#
C 7b9#11(no5)
Omitted degrees:
no5
Remaining formula:
1-3-b7-b9-#11
Remaining notes:
C, E, Bb, Db, F#
C 7b9#11(no7)
Omitted degrees:
no7
Remaining formula:
1-3-5-b9-#11
Remaining notes:
C, E, G, Db, F#
C 7b9#11(no1)(no3)
Omitted degrees:
no1, no3
Remaining formula:
5-b7-b9-#11
Remaining notes:
G, Bb, Db, F#
C 7b9#11(no1)(no5)
Omitted degrees:
no1, no5
Remaining formula:
3-b7-b9-#11
Remaining notes:
E, Bb, Db, F#
C 7b9#11(no1)(no7)
Omitted degrees:
no1, no7
Remaining formula:
3-5-b9-#11
Remaining notes:
E, G, Db, F#
C 7b9#11(no3)(no5)
Omitted degrees:
no3, no5
Remaining formula:
1-b7-b9-#11
Remaining notes:
C, Bb, Db, F#
C 7b9#11(no3)(no7)
Omitted degrees:
no3, no7
Remaining formula:
1-5-b9-#11
Remaining notes:
C, G, Db, F#
C 7b9#11(no5)(no7)
Omitted degrees:
no5, no7
Remaining formula:
1-3-b9-#11
Remaining notes:
C, E, Db, F#
C 7b9#11(no1)(no3)(no5)
Omitted degrees:
no1, no3, no5
Remaining formula:
b7-b9-#11
Remaining notes:
Bb, Db, F#
C 7b9#11(no1)(no3)(no7)
Omitted degrees:
no1, no3, no7
Remaining formula:
5-b9-#11
Remaining notes:
G, Db, F#
C 7b9#11(no1)(no5)(no7)
Omitted degrees:
no1, no5, no7
Remaining formula:
3-b9-#11
Remaining notes:
E, Db, F#
C 7b9#11(no3)(no5)(no7)
Omitted degrees:
no3, no5, no7
Remaining formula:
1-b9-#11
Remaining notes:
C, Db, F#
7b9#11
Dom7b9#11
C 7b9#5
ChordExplore omission variants (10)
C 7b9#5(no1)
Omitted degrees:
no1
Remaining formula:
3-#5-b7-b9
Remaining notes:
E, G#, Bb, Db
C 7b9#5(no3)
Omitted degrees:
no3
Remaining formula:
1-#5-b7-b9
Remaining notes:
C, G#, Bb, Db
C 7b9#5(no5)
Omitted degrees:
no5
Remaining formula:
1-3-b7-b9
Remaining notes:
C, E, Bb, Db
C 7b9#5(no7)
Omitted degrees:
no7
Remaining formula:
1-3-#5-b9
Remaining notes:
C, E, G#, Db
C 7b9#5(no1)(no3)
Omitted degrees:
no1, no3
Remaining formula:
#5-b7-b9
Remaining notes:
G#, Bb, Db
C 7b9#5(no1)(no5)
Omitted degrees:
no1, no5
Remaining formula:
3-b7-b9
Remaining notes:
E, Bb, Db
C 7b9#5(no1)(no7)
Omitted degrees:
no1, no7
Remaining formula:
3-#5-b9
Remaining notes:
E, G#, Db
C 7b9#5(no3)(no5)
Omitted degrees:
no3, no5
Remaining formula:
1-b7-b9
Remaining notes:
C, Bb, Db
C 7b9#5(no3)(no7)
Omitted degrees:
no3, no7
Remaining formula:
1-#5-b9
Remaining notes:
C, G#, Db
C 7b9#5(no5)(no7)
Omitted degrees:
no5, no7
Remaining formula:
1-3-b9
Remaining notes:
C, E, Db
7(b9,#5)
7(#5/b9)
+7(b9)
7(b9,#5
7(#5/b9
+7(b9
C 7b9#9
ChordExplore omission variants (10)
C 7b9#9(no1)
Omitted degrees:
no1
Remaining formula:
3-5-b7-b9-#9
Remaining notes:
E, G, Bb, Db, D#
C 7b9#9(no3)
Omitted degrees:
no3
Remaining formula:
1-5-b7-b9-#9
Remaining notes:
C, G, Bb, Db, D#
C 7b9#9(no5)
Omitted degrees:
no5
Remaining formula:
1-3-b7-b9-#9
Remaining notes:
C, E, Bb, Db, D#
C 7b9#9(no7)
Omitted degrees:
no7
Remaining formula:
1-3-5-b9-#9
Remaining notes:
C, E, G, Db, D#
C 7b9#9(no1)(no3)
Omitted degrees:
no1, no3
Remaining formula:
5-b7-b9-#9
Remaining notes:
G, Bb, Db, D#
C 7b9#9(no1)(no5)
Omitted degrees:
no1, no5
Remaining formula:
3-b7-b9-#9
Remaining notes:
E, Bb, Db, D#
C 7b9#9(no1)(no7)
Omitted degrees:
no1, no7
Remaining formula:
3-5-b9-#9
Remaining notes:
E, G, Db, D#
C 7b9#9(no3)(no5)
Omitted degrees:
no3, no5
Remaining formula:
1-b7-b9-#9
Remaining notes:
C, Bb, Db, D#
C 7b9#9(no3)(no7)
Omitted degrees:
no3, no7
Remaining formula:
1-5-b9-#9
Remaining notes:
C, G, Db, D#
C 7b9#9(no5)(no7)
Omitted degrees:
no5, no7
Remaining formula:
1-3-b9-#9
Remaining notes:
C, E, Db, D#
7b9#9
7#9b9
C 7b9b13
ChordExplore omission variants (14)
C 7b9b13(no1)
Omitted degrees:
no1
Remaining formula:
3-5-b7-b9-b13
Remaining notes:
E, G, Bb, Db, Ab
C 7b9b13(no3)
Omitted degrees:
no3
Remaining formula:
1-5-b7-b9-b13
Remaining notes:
C, G, Bb, Db, Ab
C 7b9b13(no5)
Omitted degrees:
no5
Remaining formula:
1-3-b7-b9-b13
Remaining notes:
C, E, Bb, Db, Ab
C 7b9b13(no7)
Omitted degrees:
no7
Remaining formula:
1-3-5-b9-b13
Remaining notes:
C, E, G, Db, Ab
C 7b9b13(no1)(no3)
Omitted degrees:
no1, no3
Remaining formula:
5-b7-b9-b13
Remaining notes:
G, Bb, Db, Ab
C 7b9b13(no1)(no5)
Omitted degrees:
no1, no5
Remaining formula:
3-b7-b9-b13
Remaining notes:
E, Bb, Db, Ab
C 7b9b13(no1)(no7)
Omitted degrees:
no1, no7
Remaining formula:
3-5-b9-b13
Remaining notes:
E, G, Db, Ab
C 7b9b13(no3)(no5)
Omitted degrees:
no3, no5
Remaining formula:
1-b7-b9-b13
Remaining notes:
C, Bb, Db, Ab
C 7b9b13(no3)(no7)
Omitted degrees:
no3, no7
Remaining formula:
1-5-b9-b13
Remaining notes:
C, G, Db, Ab
C 7b9b13(no5)(no7)
Omitted degrees:
no5, no7
Remaining formula:
1-3-b9-b13
Remaining notes:
C, E, Db, Ab
C 7b9b13(no1)(no3)(no5)
Omitted degrees:
no1, no3, no5
Remaining formula:
b7-b9-b13
Remaining notes:
Bb, Db, Ab
C 7b9b13(no1)(no3)(no7)
Omitted degrees:
no1, no3, no7
Remaining formula:
5-b9-b13
Remaining notes:
G, Db, Ab
C 7b9b13(no1)(no5)(no7)
Omitted degrees:
no1, no5, no7
Remaining formula:
3-b9-b13
Remaining notes:
E, Db, Ab
C 7b9b13(no3)(no5)(no7)
Omitted degrees:
no3, no5, no7
Remaining formula:
1-b9-b13
Remaining notes:
C, Db, Ab
7(b9,b13)
Page 5 / 21
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
4Seventh chords
3Core scales
5Essential modes
3Beginner
CConnect intervals, major and minor triads, the major scale, and basic seventh chords.
Intermediate
ECompare seventh chords, pentatonic and blues scales, and common modes in one stable key.
Advanced
A#Approach altered dominants, extensions, melodic minor colors, modal interchange, and voice leading without confusing color with function.
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 playA 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 playA 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 playTheoretical compatibility is not enough. Harmonic function, melody, style, and voice leading determine whether a scale really supports a chord.
Reference examples in C
C · FormulasThese 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 |