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Scale Finder

What scale should I play over this chord?

Type any chord — G, Am, D7, Cmaj7, F♯m, B♭7, Dsus4 — and instantly see guitar-friendly scale choices, chord tones, simple theory, and a practical starting idea for your next solo. With a fretboard map, position filters, and left-handed mode.

Enter a Chord
Examples: G, Am, D7, Cmaj7, F#m, Bb7, Dsus4. Use # for sharps and b for flats.
Quick Chords
Chord Type
Display Mode
Lefty Mode
Mirror fretboard
Marky Mode
Bold colors
G Major
Chord tones G B D
Best Scale
Alternatives
Why this works

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Scale on the fretboard —
↺ Lefty View
Scale tone
Root note
Get the most from this tool

How to choose the right scale for any chord.

01 — Start Here

Start with chord tones

The most important notes in any scale are the ones that are also in the chord — the chord tones. They're what makes your solo sound in the music instead of like random scale practice.

If you want to drill chord tones specifically, the Arpeggio Finder shows you the exact tones for any chord across the entire neck.

02 — Pentatonic First

Pentatonic shortcuts

For most guitar players, the safest starting point is simple: major chords usually like major pentatonic, minor chords usually like minor pentatonic, and dominant 7 chords like mixolydian or blues-based ideas.

Build comfort with these three before adding modes and colors. Speed comes from familiarity, not complexity.

03 — Listen

Listen as you play

The fastest way to learn what a scale sounds like over a chord is to actually play and listen. Loop one chord, play through a scale slowly, and notice which notes feel like they resolve and which feel like tension.

Your ears will start to make these choices automatically — much faster than memorizing theory rules.

04 — Notes Over Boxes

Position vs. note thinking

Beginners often think in scale boxes ("the pentatonic box at the 5th fret"). That's fine for starting out, but real fluency comes from knowing where every note lives on the neck regardless of position.

The Fretboard Note Finder is a good drilling tool for building that awareness. Combine it with this tool to start seeing scales as patterns of notes, not shapes.

Frequently Asked

Scale Over Chord FAQ

What scale should I play over a major chord?
Major pentatonic is usually the safest first choice. The full major scale also works, but major pentatonic tends to sound musical faster because it avoids some notes that beginners often overuse.
What scale works over minor chords?
Minor pentatonic is the easiest and most guitar-friendly option. Natural minor gives you a fuller sound, while the blues scale adds a grittier rock/blues flavor.
Can I use pentatonic over any chord?
You can use pentatonic over many chords, but the type matters. Major pentatonic usually fits major chords, while minor pentatonic usually fits minor chords. Blues and rock players often bend those rules for tension.
What scale should I play over a dominant 7 chord?
Mixolydian is the classic theory answer because it contains the flat 7. For guitar, minor pentatonic and the blues scale are also extremely common over dominant 7 chords.
How should I type sharp, flat, minor, 7th, and sus chords?
Use the root first, then the chord type. Examples: F# for F sharp, Bb for B flat, Am for A minor, G7 for G dominant 7, Cmaj7 for C major 7, Dm7 for D minor 7, Dsus4 for D suspended 4, and Dsus2 for D suspended 2.
How do I know what scale fits a chord progression?
Start by finding the key or the main chord. If all the chords come from one key, one scale may work across the whole progression. If the chords change color strongly, you may want to target each chord as it arrives. The Chord Progression Scale Finder is built specifically for this.

Brought to you by Music With Marky

Use this with the chord and arpeggio tools to connect chord tones, scales, and fretboard patterns into one connected approach to soloing.

Explore all Guitar Lick Lab tools →