Diatonic scales & modes
Diatonic scales & modes. Click below to open and print the desired PDF, or right-click and save to download it.
Explore our comprehensive resources on diatonic and pentatonic scales, essential for guitarists and musicians of all levels. Download PDFs featuring clear tables of diatonic scales, modes presented graphically, and patterns optimized for speed and versatility on the guitar neck. Enhance your musical skills with detailed insights into pentatonic scales, including variations with minor and major blue notes for diverse musical expressions. Perfect for learning and mastering scales across genres from funk to metal.
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Table of Diatonic Scales (table)
All scales in a clear table, scale degrees with corresponding triad and seventh chords. Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, Locrian. Sharps and flats to quickly identify the key of a score through key signature. Circle of fourths and fifths with keys, major and relative minor scales.
Diatonic scale / modes (grid)
Modes diatonic scale of C. All 7 modes graphically presented, each mode is given a Roman number from I (1) to VII (7).
Diatonic scale / 3-note-per-string
Diatonic scale of C, all 7 modes graphically presented in a pattern of 3 notes per string. These modes are useful for quickly changing positions on the neck, or for achieving speed (speed picking, hammer ons, pull offs, tappings, etc.)
Pentatonic scale / modes
Pentatonic scales means 5-note scale (penta = 5). Compared to the diatonic scale note 4 and 7 is omitted, which means there are just 5 modes instead of the usual 7. This scale is widely used in all styles such as funk, pop, rock, metal, etc.
Pentatonic scale + minor blue note/ modes
Pentatonic scale + an Eb (b3/#2 relative to the relative major key, b5/#4 to the relative minor key). This extra note is called the minor blue note. Despite this scale is named “Minor Blues”, and also sounds somewhat bluesy, this is applied in all styles apart from the music style blues. The minor blues scale can be used over minor and major chords, as well as minor and major blues progression.
Pentatonic scale + major blue note/ modes
Pentatonic scale + a Db (b2/#1 relative to the relative major key). This extra note is called the major blue note. The major blues scale is more limited, can be used over major chords and major blues progressions, and has a more happy-bluesy vibe.