Root
Chord Type
C
C (0)E (4)G (7)
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C — interval 0
E — interval 4
G — interval 7
About
The Chord & Scale Reference lets you look up the notes in any chord or scale for any root key. Select from 12 chord types (major, minor, dominant 7th, diminished, augmented, etc.) and 14 scale types (major, natural minor, Dorian, Lydian, blues, pentatonic, chromatic, etc.). The notes are highlighted on an interactive piano keyboard and listed with their interval numbers.
How to use
- 1 Toggle between Chord and Scale mode at the top.
- 2 Select the root note (C, D, E, F, G, A, B or their sharps).
- 3 Choose the chord or scale type from the dropdown.
- 4 The piano keyboard highlights the matching notes automatically.
- 5 The note list below shows each note with its interval number.
- What is the difference between a chord and a scale?
- A scale is a sequence of notes arranged in ascending or descending pitch order that defines a key or mode — for example, the C major scale is C D E F G A B. A chord is three or more notes from a scale played simultaneously — for example, a C major chord is C E G (the 1st, 3rd, and 5th degrees of the C major scale). Chords are derived from scales; understanding scales helps you understand which chords naturally fit in a key.
- What is a mode and how is it different from a scale?
- A mode is a scale starting on a different degree of the parent major scale. The seven modes of the major scale are: Ionian (same as major), Dorian (minor with raised 6th), Phrygian (minor with flattened 2nd), Lydian (major with raised 4th), Mixolydian (major with flattened 7th), Aeolian (natural minor), and Locrian (diminished). Each mode has a distinct character and is used in different musical genres.
- What is a pentatonic scale and why is it so commonly used?
- The pentatonic scale has only 5 notes (penta = five) compared to the 7 notes in a major or minor scale. The minor pentatonic (root, minor 3rd, 4th, 5th, minor 7th) is one of the most used scales in rock, blues, and folk music because it contains no semitone intervals — so almost any note in the scale sounds good over a chord, making improvisation very forgiving for beginners.