Music Scale Calculator
Find notes in any musical scale, view semitone patterns, and numeric formulas
Scale Calculator
The first note of the scale
Choose what information to display
Musical scale category
Specific scale within the category
C Major Scale
Notes:
Semitone Pattern:
Number of semitones between consecutive notes
Numeric Formula:
Scale degrees relative to the major scale
Scale Analysis
Number of notes: 8
Total semitones: 12
Scale type: Other
Example: C Major Scale
Building the Scale
Root note: C
Semitone pattern: 2, 2, 1, 2, 2, 2, 1
Notes: C → D (2 semitones) → E (2 semitones) → F (1 semitone) → G (2 semitones) → A (2 semitones) → B (2 semitones) → C (1 semitone)
Result: C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C
Scale Categories
Music Theory Tips
Semitones are the smallest intervals in Western music (half steps)
The numeric formula shows scale degrees relative to major scale
Modes use the same notes as major scale but start from different degrees
Pentatonic scales have 5 notes and are used worldwide
Understanding Musical Scales
What is a Musical Scale?
A musical scale is a collection of musical notes ordered by fundamental frequency or pitch. Scales provide the foundation for melody and harmony in music, defining which notes sound good together and creating the characteristic mood or feeling of a piece.
How to Use This Calculator
- 1.Choose a root note (the starting note of your scale)
- 2.Select a scale category that interests you
- 3.Pick a specific scale name from that category
- 4.View the scale notes, pattern, and formula
Understanding the Results
Scale Notes
The actual musical notes that make up the scale
Semitone Pattern
The intervals between consecutive notes (1 = semitone, 2 = whole tone)
Numeric Formula
Scale degrees showing which notes from the major scale are used
Tip: Use the semitone pattern to build any scale starting from any note!
Popular Musical Scales
Major Scale
Pattern: 2-2-1-2-2-2-1
Happy, bright sound. Foundation of Western music.
Natural Minor
Pattern: 2-1-2-2-1-2-2
Sad, melancholic sound. Very common in many genres.
Pentatonic Minor
Pattern: 3-2-2-3-2
Versatile scale used in blues, rock, and world music.