Labs

Guitar Scales & Modes Lab

Compare scale construction, modal relationships, and playable guitar paths across the fretboard.

Explore

Choose a scale or mode

Selections update every relationship and fretboard path instantly.
Full fretboardStandard tuning · open strings through fret 22

Harmony map

Circle of fifths

C major
Circle of fifths for C majorC is the tonic. Highlighted positions are notes in C major.CTONICCGDAEBF♯ / G♭D♭ / C♯A♭ / G♯E♭ / D♯B♭ / A♯F

Scale anatomy

C major

I / M Major · i / m Minor · ° / dim Diminished · + / aug Augmented · P1 Unison · P4 Perfect 4th · P5 Perfect 5th · P8 Octave
I · MC1
ii · mD2
iii · mE3
IV · MF4
V · MG5
vi · mA6
vii° · dimB7
Degrees
IIIIIIIVVVIVII
Tonic chordCC · E · G · major triad
Relative minorA minorA · B · C · D · E · F · G
Parallel minorC minorC · D · Eb · F · G · Ab · Bb

Scale Origin

Where C Major comes from

C Major is the I mode of C Major.
Parent scale notes
1CStarts here2D3E4F5G6A7B

Origin Diagram

Parent degree map

C Major
C Major origin mapC Major is the I mode of C Major. The highlighted parent-scale degree is where the selected scale begins.IC Major1C2D3E4F5G6A7B

Highlighted degree: I · C

Fretboard

Playable scale paths

Selected position: C-CAGED

Pentatonic positions

C major pentatonic

Three notes per string

Expanded paths that avoid duplicate pitches on adjacent strings.