Reference · 72 scales
Guitar scales
6 scale types on all twelve The note a chord is named after and built up from. C is the root of C, Cm and C7.. Pick a scale to hear it, see it across the fretboard and find the chords it fits.
Scales by root
New to scales? Start with the minor A five-note scale. The minor pentatonic is the most used scale in rock and blues guitar solos.: five notes that are hard to get wrong, and the sound of most rock and blues solos.
C
C♯ / D♭
D
D♯ / E♭
E
F
F♯ / G♭
G
G♯ / A♭
A
A♯ / B♭
B
The 6 scale types
- Major (Ionian) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
- The reference scale. Bright and resolved; every other scale is described against it.
- Natural minor (Aeolian) 1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7
- The relative minor of a major key: same notes, starting on the 6th degree.
- Minor pentatonic 1 ♭3 4 5 ♭7
- The first scale most guitarists learn: the backbone of blues and rock soloing.
- Major pentatonic 1 2 3 5 6
- Five notes, no half steps. Country, folk and sweet rock melodies.
- Blues 1 ♭3 4 ♭5 5 ♭7
- Minor pentatonic plus the 'blue note' between the 4th and 5th, written ♭5 or ♯4.
- Harmonic minor 1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 7
- Natural minor with a raised 7th, giving minor keys a strong major V chord.