Which Scales and Modes Are Available in Scale Sequencer?

Scale Sequencer offers 30+ selectable scales and modes, grouped into four families: the seven diatonic modes, pentatonic and blues scales, the seven melodic minor modes, and the symmetric/limited-transposition scales (Whole Tone, Octatonic, and Messiaen's other modes). You pick a root note (C through B, including sharps/flats) and a scale name, then click tiles on the grid to place notes. The available options below reflect exactly what the site lists.

Diatonic modes (7)

These are the modes of the major scale, each starting on a different degree:

Pentatonic and blues (3)

• Pentatonic — the major pentatonic (five notes)
• Minor Pentatonic — the minor pentatonic (five notes)
• Blues — minor pentatonic plus a blue note

These are the most forgiving scales for beginners because almost any combination of their notes sounds consonant.

Melodic minor modes (7)

The site lists all seven modes built from the melodic minor scale, labeled "Melodic minor, Mode 1" through "Mode 7." Mode 1 is the melodic minor scale itself; the others are its rotations (often called Lydian dominant, altered, etc., though the site uses the numeric labels).

Symmetric and limited-transposition scales

• Whole Tone — Mode 1 (six notes, all whole steps)
• Octatonic — Mode 2, listed under Messiaen's Modes of Limited Transposition
• Messiaen's Modes of Limited Transposition — Mode 3 through Mode 7

These scales repeat at the octave in fewer than 12 distinct transpositions, which is why they're grouped as "limited transposition." They produce more exotic, less tonal-sounding melodies than the diatonic modes.

How to choose a scale

• Want a familiar pop/rock sound? Start with Ionian (Major) or Aeolian (Natural Minor).
• Want something modal but still tonal? Try Dorian, Mixolydian, or Lydian.
• Want to avoid wrong-sounding notes? Use Pentatonic, Minor Pentatonic, or Blues.
• Want an experimental or cinematic texture? Try Whole Tone or the Messiaen modes.

How the selection works

1. Pick a root note (C, C#/Db, D, … B).
2. Pick a scale or mode from the list.
3. Click tiles on the step grid to place notes; the grid constrains your choices to the selected scale.
4. Use Clear Notes to reset, and Share Your Song to generate a link.

Because the grid only shows notes in the chosen scale, switching scales after placing notes will change which pitches your existing pattern maps to — worth trying if you want a quick variation on an idea.

The tool is a migration of ToneMatrix by Max L, with additional scales added by Henry Fellerhoff (source: site footer/GitHub credit).