In music theory, there are many different scales that are defined by specific sequences of whole tone (GT) and half tone (HT) steps. Each scale has its own characteristic sound spectrum based on these steps. Here is an overview of the most common scales and their intervals in the form of whole and half steps.

Major scale (Ionian)

Formula: WS – WS – HS – WS – WS – WS – HS
The major scale is the best known and most widely used scale. It conveys a cheerful, open sound.

Minor scale (Aeolian)

Formula: WS – HS – WS – WS – HS – WS – WS
The natural minor scale has a melancholy, sad character and is often used in emotional and calm pieces.

Harmonic minor scale

Formula: WS – HS – WS – WS – HS – 1.5 WS (augmented second) – HS
The harmonic minor scale has an exotic, almost oriental sound and is often used in classical and jazz music.

Melodic minor scale

Formula: WS – HS – WS – WS – WS – WS – HS
This scale is mainly used in its ascending form and has a smoother, less dissonant sound than the harmonic minor scale.

Pentatonic major scale

Formula: WS – WS – 1.5 WS – WS – 1.5 WS
This scale consists of only five notes and is often used in rock, pop and blues. It conveys an open and simple sound.

Pentatonic minor scale

Formula: 1.5 WS – WS – WS – 1.5 WS – WS
This scale is the minor version of the pentatonic and is often used in blues and jazz music to create a bluesy, earthy sound.

Whole-tone scale

Formula: WS – WS – WS – WS – WS – WS
The whole-tone scale consists only of whole-tone steps and has a dreamlike, floating sound. It is often used in impressionistic music.

Half-tone whole-tone scale (Diminished Scale)

Formula: HS – WS – HS – WS – HS – WS – HS – WS
This scale has a dissonant, restless sound and is often used in jazz and modern music, especially over diminished chords.

Diminished Whole-Half Scale

Formula: WS – HS – WS – HS – WS – HS – WS – HS
This scale is often used in jazz and also creates a strong tension and dissonance.

Blues Scale

Formula: 1.5 WS – WS – HS – HS – 1.5 WS – WS
The blues scale is based on the pentatonic minor scale, supplemented by an additional note (the “blue note”). It produces a distinctive, “bluesy” sound.

Chromatic scale

Formula: HS – HS – HS – HS – HS – HS – HS – HS – HS – HS – HS – HS
The chromatic scale consists only of semitones and covers all 12 tones of Western music. It sounds extremely dense and is often used for fast runs or modulation.

Modes

Each mode has its own character:

• Dorian: WS – HS – WS – WS – WS – HS – WS
• Phrygian: HS – WS – WS – WS – HS – WS – WS
• Lydian: WS – WS – WS – HS – WS – WS – HS
• Mixolydian: WS – WS – HS – WS – WS – HS – WS
• Lokrian: HS – WS – WS – HS – WS – WS – WS

These modes offer different sound characters from mystical (Phrygian) to majestic (Lydian) and are often used in jazz, pop and church music. For more information, please visit my blog about the modes.

Hungarian major scale

Formula: WS - HS - 1.5 WS - HS - HS - WS - WS
Also known in old German as “Zigeuner-Dur”, this scale has an exotic and dramatic character and is often used in traditional Eastern European music.

Hungarian minor scale

Formula: WS – HS – 1.5 WS – HS – HS – 1.5 WS – HS
Also known in old German as the “gypsy minor scale”, it has a dark, mysterious sound and emphasizes the overbearing second step.

Bebop scale (major)

Formula: WS – WS – HS – WS – HS – HS – HS – WS – HS
This scale contains an additional chromatic tone to allow phrasing over 8 notes and to create a constant change between strong and weak beats.

Altered scale (super-local)

Formula: HS – WS – HS – WS – WS – WS – WS
The altered scale is often used over dominant chords that require resolution. It creates a strong tension through the use of flat and sharp notes (e.g. b9, #9, b13).

If I have forgotten one or more scales, please comment under this article or send me an e-mail using the contact form.