Interactive tool

Piano Scale Explorer

Choose a tonic and scale type to see notes, degrees, steps and piano keys.

TonicScaleDirection

Scale answer · ascending convention

C major

C · D · E · F · G · A · B

Formula for displayed collection: 1–2–3–4–5–6–7
Displayed step pattern: W–W–H–W–W–W–H
Degrees in displayed order: tonic, supertonic, mediant, subdominant, dominant, submediant, leading tone
Associated key signature: No sharps or flats

CDEFGAB

Staff notation

Text equivalent: C major: C · D · E · F · G · A · B.

The major scale provides the reference pattern for major keys. Chromatic output is explicitly directional; classical melodic minor uses natural minor on descent.

Piano Scale Explorer

Choose a tonic and scale type to compare its notes, intervals, degrees and keyboard pattern.

Choose A harmonic minor to see A–B–C–D–E–F–G♯ and the raised leading tone.

Read the result

The text answer, formula and labelled visual are equivalent views of the selected state. Classical melodic minor commonly changes on descent; the ascending form alone is not the whole convention.

Connected theory

Follow the selected root or tonic into its hub, then into the relevant key, interval or inversion reference. Contextual links use the active subject rather than the same generic list on every page.

Try a controlled comparison

Change one selector at a time and describe what changed in the notes, degrees, bass or signature. Generated audio is optional and user initiated.

Keep the root fixed and change quality.
Keep the structure fixed and transpose.
Compare the visible text with the keyboard.

Keep exploring

Use the related links to compare the answer with another tool or read the musical idea in more detail.