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Is there a site with every scale ever?

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(@davebf)
Trusted Member
Joined: 17 years ago
Posts: 30
Topic starter  

Of course, I could just figure out the scales myself, but for now that takes too much time/brain power. I'm wondering: is there a website where you can punch in the key, and what type of scale it is that you want, and it will tell you the II III IV V VI VII and all those goodies?
Much Thanks,
Dave


   
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 Nuno
(@nuno)
Famed Member
Joined: 17 years ago
Posts: 3995
 

Something like http://www.chordsandscales.co.uk/ ?


   
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(@fretsource)
Prominent Member
Joined: 18 years ago
Posts: 973
 

From our member, Misanthrope

http://www.chordsandscales.co.uk/

By the way, anyone, where is Misanthrope?


   
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(@causnorign)
Honorable Member
Joined: 19 years ago
Posts: 554
 

Also try http://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/scales


   
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(@noteboat)
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Joined: 21 years ago
Posts: 4921
 

There's a problem with what you're looking for.

There are lots of possible scales, but most aren't useful. But you can find sites that show a hundred or more scales that are actually used.

But most of those scales won't have a I-II-III-etc.

The use of Roman numerals to identify chords assumes two things, which are closely related: that the harmony is tertian (built in thirds, like A-C#), and that the scale is diatonic (it's got seven notes, one with each letter name).

Many scales are not used with harmony; most of the music from the far East is traditionally monophonic, so they don't have chords. Many other scales don't harmonize to chords, but they can be used over chord progressions.

Take the A minor pentatonic scale: A-C-D-E-G. You'd typically use that over a I-IV-V progression... which is A, D, and E.

But the chords A, D, and E can't be formed from the scale! The A chord has C#, the D chord has F#, and the E chord has G# and B. The minor pentatonic will also work over a i-iv-V7 progression (Am, Dm, E7) - but it's missing F for the Dm, and G# and B for the E7.

Scales work over chords because the musicians playing the scales make them work. The more skilled the soloist, the more he or she will be able to use notes outside the chord structure.

As a result, it's impossible to say "here are the chords that work with this scale". Not that you won't hear people saying things like that - it's just that they're wrong :)

Guitar teacher offering lessons in Plainfield IL


   
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