The full set
Ordered below by Aubel's unlock progression. The interval pattern (in semitones) is shown next to each name. The full written guide below is the first we've published. The rest are coming.
- Major The reference scale. Whole-half pattern W W H W W W H.
- Natural Minor Major scale starting on the 6th degree. Flat 3rd, 6th, and 7th.
- Harmonic Minor Natural minor with a raised 7th. The augmented 2nd between 6 and 7 is the giveaway.
- Dorian Minor scale with a raised 6th. The 2nd mode of major. Read the guide →
- Mixolydian Major scale with a flat 7th. The 5th mode of major, dominant in blues and rock.
- Lydian Major scale with a raised 4th. The 4th mode of major, common in film scoring and jazz fusion.
- Melodic Minor Raised 6th and 7th, both ascending and descending (the contemporary and jazz definition).
- Phrygian Minor scale with a flat 2nd. The 3rd mode of major, signature of flamenco.
- Locrian Diminished tonic, no perfect 5th. The 7th mode of major, rarely used as a key center.
The three minors
Most theory books teach three minor scales as if they're separate species. They aren't. They're three closely related scales that each solve a different problem with the 6th and 7th degrees.
Natural minor is the base. Flat 3rd, flat 6th, flat 7th. The 6th and 7th sit a whole step apart, so neither one pulls hard toward the tonic.
Harmonic minor raises the 7th so it becomes a leading tone. The cost is an awkward augmented 2nd between the 6th and the raised 7th, which is the exotic-sounding interval that gives harmonic minor its Eastern European flavor.
Melodic minor raises both the 6th and the 7th. The raised 6th smooths out the augmented 2nd that harmonic minor introduced. In the classical definition the scale only does this ascending; jazz uses melodic minor in both directions.
The five church modes after the minors
Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, and Locrian are modes of the major scale. Each one starts on a different scale degree of the parent major. Dorian is the 2nd mode (built on the 2nd degree), Phrygian the 3rd, Lydian the 4th, Mixolydian the 5th, Locrian the 7th. Same seven notes, different center, different sound.
The practical consequence: if you know your major scales, you can construct any mode by counting up to the right degree. C Lydian is G major's notes starting on G's 4th, which is C. Aubel doesn't ask you to do that mental math when training, but knowing the relationship makes the scales easier to remember by name.
How the game runs
Aubel plays the full ascending and descending scale on a random root, then asks you to name what you heard. The tile grid contains whatever scales are currently in your active pool. You tap the one that matches. Rolling accuracy across the pool gates the next unlock.