2/7: Scales

Common Scales

There are many scales in music, and their frequency of use may vary between places, cultures and musical styles.

Scales can be grouped by their number of notes. The most common group in modern western music is the 7-notes scales (Heptatonic), and more precisely, a subgroup named 'Diatonic scales' (aka Modes).

There are 7 diatonic scales, and each includes a different order of 5 whole-steps, and 2 half-steps in an octave.

Listen to the unique sound of each of the diatonic scales:

Major Scale
1
 
2
 
3
4
 
5
 
6
 
7
1
Dorian Scale
1
 
2
3
 
4
 
5
 
6
7
 
1
Phrygian Scale
1
2
 
3
 
4
 
5
6
 
7
 
1
Lydian Scale
1
 
2
 
3
 
4
5
 
6
 
7
1
Mixolydian Scale
1
 
2
 
3
4
 
5
 
6
7
 
1
Minor Scale
1
 
2
3
 
4
 
5
6
 
7
 
1
Locrian Scale
1
2
 
3
 
4
5
 
6
 
7
 
1

Check out the Music Scales tool to better familiarize yourself with different scales.

Next: Scale Patterns