See Any Two Guitar Scales Side by Side
Pick a root note and scale type for each panel. Tap frets to hear notes. Toggle labels to study intervals or degrees. Bookmark any pairing to return later.
Quick Pairings
Left Scale
Right Scale
C Major
A Minor
How This Works
Each fretboard shows 12 frets across all six strings. The left and right panels are independent, so you can compare any two scales. Tap a fret to hear that note. Use the label toggle to switch between note names, intervals from the root, or scale degrees. The chord overlay highlights notes that belong to a selected major or minor chord.
Common Mistakes
Beginners often confuse the raised 4th in Lydian with the perfect 4th in Major, or miss that the blues scale adds a flat 5th to the minor pentatonic. Use the side-by-side view to spot exactly which frets differ. Another common mix-up is thinking Dorian and Aeolian (natural minor) are the same. They differ by one note: Dorian has a natural 6th while Aeolian has a flat 6th.
When to Use Which Scale
Major pentatonic works well over major keys and bright progressions. Minor pentatonic is the go-to for blues and rock. The blues scale adds tension with the flat 5th. Dorian fits minor chords with a jazzy or funky feel. Mixolydian suits dominant 7th chords. Lydian adds a dreamy quality over major chords. Try the preset pairings above to hear these differences.
Tips for Practice
Start by playing one scale up and down, then switch to the other. Listen for the notes that change. Try improvising a simple melody using only the shared notes, then add the unique notes from each scale. Use the print button to create a paper reference for your practice space. Bookmark pairings you want to revisit.
Questions
Can I save my scale pairings?
Yes. The URL updates with your current selections. Copy the link or bookmark the page to return to the same pairing later.
Why do some notes have a special border?
Notes that appear in both scales are marked with a dashed border. These shared notes can help you transition smoothly between scales during a solo.
What if I want to compare more than two scales?
Save your current pair using the link, then change one panel at a time. You can also open multiple tabs with different pairings.
Is the audio a real guitar sound?
No. The audio uses a simple synthesizer tone generated in your browser. It is meant for pitch reference, not realistic guitar tone.
Can I use this on my phone?
Yes. The fretboards are touch-friendly and the layout adapts to smaller screens. For the best experience, use landscape mode on phones.