Modes are scales built by starting on a different degree of a parent scale. Dorian starts on the 2nd degree of the major scale, Phrygian on the 3rd, and so on.

Why does the same scale repeat across the fretboard?

Because each pitch class appears at multiple positions on the guitar - the same C is on the 1st fret of the B string, the 3rd fret of the A string, and so on.

Scale Finder

Visualize any major, minor, modal or pentatonic scale on a piano keyboard and a guitar fretboard. The root is highlighted in deeper colour; play the scale ascending with one click.

Scale

C Major

Full scale page

C · D · E · F · G · A · B

W W H W W W H

Tempo96 bpm

TonicCharacteristic toneScale toneOff scale

Piano · C4–B5

Guitar · standard tuning

Frets 5–8

eBGDAE

open123456789101112

Tap any dot to hear it · notes outside the box stay readable, one step back

Root

Scale

Major & minor

Modes

Pentatonic & 5-note

Symmetric & 8-note

Exotic

Frets 5–8

eBGDAE

open5678

One hand shape at a time · tap a position above to move it

TonicCharacteristic toneScale toneOff scale

Root

Scale

Major & minor

Modes

Pentatonic & 5-note

Symmetric & 8-note

Exotic

Degrees

1CDoroot

2DReM2

3EMiM3

4FFaP4

5GSolP5

6ALaM6

7BTiM7

Full C Major page

What is a scale?

A scale is an ordered set of notes within an octave. Major and minor scales have seven notes each; pentatonics have five; the blues scale has six; the whole-tone scale has six.

Knowing where a scale lives on your instrument is the difference between memorising fingerings and improvising freely.

Frequently asked questions

What are modes?: Modes are scales built by starting on a different degree of a parent scale. Dorian starts on the 2nd degree of the major scale, Phrygian on the 3rd, and so on.
Why does the same scale repeat across the fretboard?: Because each pitch class appears at multiple positions on the guitar - the same C is on the 1st fret of the B string, the 3rd fret of the A string, and so on.