scales and modes

major scale

W W H W W W H

natural minor

W H W W H W W

relative minor scale

6th degree of major is tonic of minor; Aeolian of a major

harmonic minor scale

half steps between 2-3 and 5-6 and 7-8

step and a half between 6-7

melodic minor scale

W H W W W W H ascending

W W H W W H W descending

major pentatonic scale

skips 4 and 7

minor pentatonic scale

skips 2 and 6

chromatic scale

composed entirely of half steps, no tonic

whole tone scale

a six tone scale made up entirely of whole steps between adjacent scale degrees

blues scale

a chromatic variant of the major scale where the 3rd and seventh scale degrees are sometimes lowered a half step

diminished scale

eight note scale made of alternating whole steps and half steps starting with a whole step

augmented scale

6 note scale that goes step and a half, half step, step and a half, half step, step and a half, whole step

dorian

8 scale degrees with half step between the 2-3 and 6-7

(natural minor sale with raised sixth degree)

white keys starting on D

phrygian

half steps between 1-2 and 5-6

(natural minor scale with a lowered second degree)

white keys starting on E

lydian

half steps between 4-5 and 7-8

(major scale with a raised fourth degree)

white keys starting on F

mixolydian

half steps between 3-4 and 6-7

(Major scale with a lowered seventh degree)

white keys starting on G

hypodorian

half steps between 2-3 and 6-7

(natural minor scale with raised sixth degree)

white keys starting on A

final on D

hypophrygian

half steps between 1-2 and 5-6

natural minor scale with lowered second degree

White keys starting on B

final on E

Hypolydian

half steps between 4-5 and 7-8

major scale with a raised fourth degree

white keys starting on C

final on F

Hypomixolydian

half steps between 3-4 and 6-7

major scale with lowered seventh degree

white keys starting on D

Final on G

aeolian

same as the natural minor scale

ionian

same as major scale

hypoaeolian

same as natural minor scale

hypoionian

same as major scale