Modal Piano Scales

A mode is the major scale started from a different degree, but playing one as a scale in its own right, over a chord that does not want to resolve, is a different musical idea entirely. Modal playing trades the pull of the leading tone for a colour that can sit still indefinitely.

24 scales carry this tag, across 2 scale types: dorian, mixolydian. Each one has its notes spelled for that key, a fingering worked out for that key, and a piano you can play it on.

Dorian Scales

A cool minor mode popular in jazz, funk, and Latin music.

Mixolydian Scales

A dominant-sounding mode — the sound of classic rock and funk.

Other tags

The same 120 scales, sorted a different way.

Back to the full scale library for all 120 scales grouped by type.