Music Glossary: scales-and-modes category

Natural minor mode with ♭6 and ♭7; melancholy, song-friendly. more

Seventh mode of melodic minor; contains ♭9, ♯9, ♭5/♯11, ♯5/♭13—max tension over V7alt. more

Minor pentatonic with added ♭5 “blue note” (1–♭3–4–♭5–5–♭7). more

Twelve-note collection moving exclusively by semitones; spans the octave. more

Minor mode with natural 6; flexible over minor chords (m6, m13 colors). more

Natural minor with raised 7th for a leading tone; creates V–i and the augmented second. more

Seven-note scale made of five whole steps and two half steps arranged uniquely. more

Major scale mode with natural 7; stable, consonant tonal center. more

Diminished mode with ♭2 and ♭5; unstable, used for color not functional tonics. more

Mixolydian with ♯4; mode 4 of melodic minor; strong over 7♯11 chords. more

Major mode with ♯4; bright, floating color with reduced tendency to resolve. more

Seven-note diatonic collection with scale degrees W-W-H-W-W-W-H; basis for Ionian mode. more

Minor scale with raised 6th and 7th ascending; in jazz used the same both up and down. more

Major mode with ♭7; primary choice over dominant (V or I7) grooves. more

Seven-note diatonic collection with W-H-W-W-H-W-W; also known as Aeolian. more

Eight-note alternating W–H or H–W steps; rich in diminished/altered dominant tensions. more

Five-note scale (1–2–3–5–6) avoiding semitone tension; ubiquitous in folk and rock. more

Five-note scale (1–♭3–4–5–♭7); central to rock, blues, funk, and pop solos. more

Mode 5 of harmonic minor (1–♭2–3–4–5–♭6–♭7); strong exotic dominant color. more

Minor mode with ♭2; dark, exotic color often used in metal and flamenco. more

Improvisation device alternating two triads a step apart for modern linear color. more

Six-note symmetric scale built entirely of whole steps; dreamlike, ambiguous sound. more