Free piano tool
Piano Scale & Chord Finder
Pick a root and a scale or chord to see every note on the piano. Explore the 7 modes, harmonic and melodic minor, pentatonics and triads in all 12 keys, and see each triad in root position, 1st inversion and 2nd inversion.
1 Root
2 Scale or chord
Scales
Triads
Mode (moves the root)
Inversion
3 C major
Inversions made simple
Same three notes, a different note on the bottom
Root position
The root is on the bottom: C–E–G. It sounds solid and settled. Written as C .
1st inversion
Move the root up an octave, so the 3rd is on the bottom: E–G–C. Lighter and smoother. Written as C/E .
2nd inversion
Move the 3rd up too, so the 5th is on the bottom: G–C–E. Often used on the way to another chord. Written as C/G .
Why pianists use them
Inversions let your hand stay in one place while the chords change. C to F/C to G/B moves just a finger or two instead of jumping around.
Quick reference
Scale and chord formulas
Each formula compares the notes to the major scale. Apply it to any root.
| Scale or chord | Formula | In C | Sound and use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Major (Ionian) | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 | C D E F G A B | The bright do-re-mi scale, and the parent of the 7 modes. |
| Dorian | 1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 ♭7 | C D E♭ F G A B♭ | Minor with a bright 6th. Jazz, funk and rock. |
| Phrygian | 1 ♭2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7 | C D♭ E♭ F G A♭ B♭ | Minor with a dark ♭2. Flamenco and film music. |
| Lydian | 1 2 3 ♯4 5 6 7 | C D E F♯ G A B | Major with a dreamy ♯4. |
| Mixolydian | 1 2 3 4 5 6 ♭7 | C D E F G A B♭ | Major with a ♭7. Blues, rock and folk. |
| Aeolian (natural minor) | 1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7 | C D E♭ F G A♭ B♭ | The natural minor scale. |
| Locrian | 1 ♭2 ♭3 4 ♭5 ♭6 ♭7 | C D♭ E♭ F G♭ A♭ B♭ | The darkest mode, with a ♭5. |
| Harmonic minor | 1 2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 7 | C D E♭ F G A♭ B | Natural minor with a raised 7th. Classical sound. |
| Melodic minor | 1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 7 | C D E♭ F G A B | Minor with a raised 6th and 7th (ascending). |
| Neapolitan major | 1 ♭2 ♭3 4 5 6 7 | C D♭ E♭ F G A B | Minor 3rd with a ♭2, and a major 6th and 7th. |
| Neapolitan minor | 1 ♭2 ♭3 4 5 ♭6 7 | C D♭ E♭ F G A♭ B | Harmonic minor with a ♭2. |
| Major pentatonic | 1 2 3 5 6 | C D E G A | 5 notes, no half steps. Pop and folk melodies. |
| Minor pentatonic | 1 ♭3 4 5 ♭7 | C E♭ F G B♭ | 5 notes. The go-to blues and rock scale. |
| Major triad | 1 3 5 | C E G | Root, major 3rd, perfect 5th. |
| Minor triad | 1 ♭3 5 | C E♭ G | Root, minor 3rd, perfect 5th. |
| Diminished triad | 1 ♭3 ♭5 | C E♭ G♭ | Root, minor 3rd, diminished 5th. |
| Augmented triad | 1 3 ♯5 | C E G♯ | Root, major 3rd, augmented 5th. |
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