Listen to a scale and identify its type
Scale ear training is the skill of hearing a longer melodic pattern — six to nine notes — and recognizing its cumulative character. Track the sequence as a whole and listen for the color created by its interval pattern rather than trying to name every note. Practice is free in your browser and requires no signup.
Nine levels cover 14 scales and modes. Begin with major and minor, then add pentatonic and minor variants. Later stages bring in church modes, blues, whole tone, and diminished scales before widening the range and mixing ascending with descending playback.
After a wrong answer, tap any option to hear that scale played in the current direction. Scales you miss receive extra practice weight, making each session adapt to your weak spots.
Major feels resolved; natural minor is darker; Dorian brightens minor with a raised 6th; Mixolydian softens major with a lowered 7th; Lydian lifts with a raised 4th; and Phrygian darkens with a lowered 2nd. The blues scale adds its chromatic blue note, whole tone removes half steps, and diminished alternates whole and half steps. Learn one contrast at a time before expanding the set.
Hearing scales supports improvisation, transcription, and harmony awareness. Combine it with interval recognition, chord training, and note reading for a balanced routine.
Listen to a scale and identify its type