Symmetrical Scales
Patterns that repeat inside the octave
Whole tone
- Formula
- 1 2 3 ♯4 ♯5 ♭7
- From C
- C D E F♯ G♯ B♭
- Where it is used
- A scale of six notes a whole tone apart, with no leading tone and no perfect fifth.
Octatonic (half–whole)
- Formula
- 1 ♭2 ♯2 3 ♯4 5 6 ♭7
- From C
- C D♭ D♯ E F♯ G A B♭
- Where it is used
- Alternates semitone and whole tone; used over dominant chords. Spellings vary.
Octatonic (whole–half)
- Formula
- 1 2 ♭3 4 ♭5 ♭6 6 7
- From C
- C D E♭ F G♭ A♭ A B
- Where it is used
- Alternates whole tone and semitone; used over diminished chords.
Chromatic
- Formula
- 1 ♯1 2 ♯2 3 4 ♯4 5 ♯5 6 ♯6 7
- From C
- C C♯ D D♯ E F F♯ G G♯ A A♯ B
- Where it is used
- All twelve equal-tempered pitch classes; usually spelled with sharps going up and flats coming down.
Other chapters: Triads · Sixths and Added Notes · Seventh Chords · Extended and Altered Chords · Major and Minor Scales · The Modes · Pentatonic and Blues · Jazz Scales · Color Scales
Chord symbols and voicings vary by style. No chord–scale pairing is right in every context.
Open the Chords and Scales →