Scales to chords
See the diatonic chords built from any 7-note scale in any key.13 scales × 12 roots = 156 pages.
Major
The most common scale in Western music. Bright, happy sound.
Natural Minor
The natural minor scale. Dark, melancholic sound.
Harmonic Minor
Natural minor with a raised 7th. Used in classical and metal.
Melodic Minor
Harmonic minor with raised 6th and 7th. Jazz staple.
Dorian
Minor mode with a raised 6th. Widely used in jazz and rock.
Phrygian
Minor mode with a ♭2. Dark, Spanish/flamenco character.
Lydian
Major mode with a #4. Bright, dreamy, otherworldly.
Mixolydian
Major mode with a ♭7. Essential for blues-rock and funk.
Locrian
The darkest mode. ♭2 and ♭5. Used in metal and jazz.
Lydian Dominant
Lydian with a ♭7. Over dominant 7#11 chords.
Phrygian Dominant
Phrygian with a major 3rd. Flamenco and Middle Eastern flavor.
Harmonic Major
Major scale with a ♭6. Warm, slightly exotic.
Altered
Super Locrian. Used over altered dominant chords in jazz.
How diatonic chords work
Every 7-note scale has a set of chords built entirely from its own notes — these are called diatonic chords. By stacking every other note of the scale (1st, 3rd, 5th), you get a triad on each scale degree. The quality of each triad (major, minor, diminished) is determined by the intervals in the scale. Knowing the diatonic chords of a scale lets you write chord progressions, harmonize melodies, and improvise with confidence.