Scale Explorer
Each scale is shown as notes, intervals, positions on the fretboard and tab. You hear the scale played up and down at your tempo, and get a short text on how it is used in metal and melodic death metal.
How to use it
- Choose a root and a scale. The notes and intervals appear right under the heading.
- Choose a position. Three notes per string for seven-note scales and two for pentatonic ones. The position lights up on the fretboard and is shown as tab.
- Press Play to hear the position up and down. Set the tempo with the slider.
- Read the text at the bottom on how the scale is usually used, and practise finding the root in each position.
Which scales are used most in metal?
Natural minor, Phrygian and harmonic minor are the scales that carry most metal riffs. Natural minor gives the classic dark sound, Phrygian gives the menacing semitone above the root and harmonic minor gives the dramatic gap of a step and a half between the sixth and seventh degrees.
- Phrygian dominant (1, b2, 3, 4, 5, b6, b7) gives an eastern, aggressive sound.
- Minor pentatonic is the base of most solos and simple riffs.
- Dorian works when you want minor without the darkest sixth.
What is a position?
A position is a pattern that keeps the notes of a scale within a few frets so the hand can stay still. Seven-note scales are played with three notes per string, which gives seven positions. Pentatonic scales have two notes per string.
- Learn one position at a time and find the root in each.
- Play the position up and down with a click before you improvise.
- Link two neighbouring positions when you know both.
How do I choose a scale for a riff?
Listen for the root of the riff and for the third. If the third is minor it is a minor scale, if it is major it is a major scale. Within minor, the second and sixth notes decide which variant it is.
- If the second note sits a semitone above the root: Phrygian or Phrygian dominant.
- If you hear a large step between the sixth and seventh notes: harmonic minor.
- If it sounds dark and plain: natural minor.
- Try the scale over the riff with the playback and trust your ear.
Frequently asked questions
How many positions are there per scale?
Seven for scales with seven notes, with three notes per string. Pentatonic scales have five notes and two notes per string.
Which scale should I learn first?
Minor pentatonic in one position, then natural minor. They cover most riffs and solos in metal. Then add harmonic minor and Phrygian.
Can I hear the scale?
Yes. Press Play to hear the position up and down, and set the tempo with the slider.
Do scales differ between tunings?
The notes are the same but sit on other frets when the tuning changes. Choose the tuning and the tool shows the right TAB.
What is the difference between natural minor and harmonic minor?
Harmonic minor raises the seventh note by a semitone compared with natural minor. That gives a step of one and a half tones between the sixth and seventh notes and the dramatic, classical sound that is common in metal. A natural minor is A, B, C, D, E, F, G and A harmonic minor has G# instead of G.
Related tools
- Fretboard Explorer: An interactive fretboard with notes, intervals and scales.
- Interval Explorer: See and hear every interval from unison to octave on guitar.
- Twin Guitar Harmonizer: Write a melody and get a second guitar part in thirds, sixths, octaves or contrary motion.
- Harmony Explorer: Click a note and see which harmonies fit the key.
- Metronome: Click or drums with a bouncing ball, step sequencer, spectrum, fullscreen and tap tempo.
- Tab player: Open a Guitar Pro file, see tab and notation and play along at your own tempo.