# Scales & Modes > Interactive visual and audio reference for musical scales and modes. (iPhone/iPad app by Smappsoft.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scales-and-modes/id357172313 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Smappsoft](https://appshunter.io/developer/333262587) - Category: Music, Education - Price: $1.99 with in-app purchases - Rating: 4.50/5 from 13 App Store ratings · 84 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 10.3 · 23 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2010-02-23 - Data updated: 2026-08-25 - Monetization: free with in-app purchases - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scales-and-modes/id357172313/reviews.md ## What is Scales & Modes? Scales & Modes is an interactive visual and audio reference for the diatonic scales and modes that are fundamental in music theory. View major and minor modes on the musical staff, see fingerings for both keyboard and guitar, and listen to the scales note by note, in any key. Violin and bass guitar fingerings are also available as an in app purchase add on. Diatonic musical scales and modes are one of the fundamental concepts of Western music theory. But the large number of scales makes learning and remembering them difficult. Scales & Modes is a handy mobile reference guide for viewing and listening to a large number scales and modes, including all the modes of the major, natural minor, and harmonic minor scales. Select a root note and a scale to display the notes of the scale on the musical staff, and click “Play Scale” to listen. Select the Keyboard or Guitar tabs (or Violin and Bass after an in app purchase) to view fingering diagrams for the scale on those instruments, and press the info button to see more detail about constructing the scale. ## Key features - Visual staff notation - Audio playback of scales - Keyboard fingerings - Guitar fingerings - Diatonic scale reference - Mode exploration ## Pricing and in-app purchases Base price: $1.99. **One-time purchases** | Purchase | Price | Type | | --- | --- | --- | | Violin & Bass Add-on | $0.99 | one-time | ## Recent user reviews (10 of 84) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scales-and-modes/id357172313/reviews.md ### 3/5 — I regret the purchase *2021-04-01, version 1.9.2* It doesn’t have good instructions, I have no idea what to do. If someone could explain it to me, I’ll give a better rating. Sorry but I don’t like it. ### 5/5 — I come back to this app again and again *2021-03-08, version 1.9.2* I really love this app, it is simple and does exactly what I want. It is focused and the presentation is appealing, and easy to navigate. I have had this for years and still open on a regular basis ### 5/5 — This app is overlooked... *2020-11-06, version 1.9.2* I deleted all my other scale apps. The interface is simple & straight forward. The layout is well thought out. I like how this app has info about the scale. I’m happy to say this app hasn’t crashed at all. My only issue with this app is the trivial (different font choice maybe). Hopefully, the developer will add more features. 11/6/20 update: I use this app daily & hope the developer adds more scales. Fantastic app. Easy to use & clean UI. ### 1/5 — Not worth it *2020-03-01, version 1.9.2* Inexpensive but not much to it. If they had a free version to see what it does would be better. Not worth buying. ### 5/5 — I really like the app, could you add more scales? *2019-12-21, version 1.9.1* I really like this app, would you be able to add the octatonic scale, and Messiaen‘s modes of limited transposition. Or maybe a feature to create and quiz your own custom scales too. Otherwise, it’s a very helpful app! ### 5/5 — Cool app I’ve used for years *2019-11-11, version 1.9.1* This is a unique and useful musical app. It has helped a lot In my understanding of the scales and modes. ### 3/5 — It works, but it could be better *2019-04-03, version 1.9.0* Since some people call scales like "Harmonic Minor 5" differently (e.g. mixolydian b9b13), I would appreciate if one could change the modes' names on their own. Thank you! ### 4/5 — Great app for learning modes *2018-05-17, version 1.9.0* This app is a simple yet effective way of learning modes. They have piano and guitar notation for easy playing. The only thing that is annoying is that sometimes the app crashes but hopefully that can get patched up sooner or later. ### 5/5 — Great *2017-12-08, version 1.9.0* I’ve downloaded tons of piano/music theory apps and this is one of my top 3. So simple yet very educational. ### 4/5 — Highly recommended *2016-07-19, version 1.7.0* I'm a casual learner, I work this into my spare time whenever my computer's busy with a rendering task. Given my novice status, this app is simple with a high volume of information - the same as a Big Gag Book of Scales, but phone-sized. The interface is easy to read and condensed. I love this app, and I wish they continued to make it for iPad Pro and iPhone6. Very handy. ## Frequently asked questions about Scales & Modes ### What does Scales & Modes do? Scales & Modes provides an interactive visual and audio reference for diatonic scales and modes, fundamental concepts in music theory. It allows users to view notes on a musical staff, see fingerings for various instruments, and listen to scales played note by note in any key. ### What are the key features of Scales & Modes? Key features include viewing major and minor modes on a musical staff, seeing fingerings for keyboard and guitar, and listening to scales in any key. Users can also access detailed information on scale construction and additional instrument fingerings through in-app purchases. ### How much does Scales & Modes cost? The base application is free to download and use. Additional instrument fingerings for violin and bass guitar are available as in-app purchases. ### What instruments are supported by Scales & Modes? The app natively supports fingerings for keyboard and guitar. Fingerings for violin and bass guitar are available as an additional in-app purchase add-on. ### Who would benefit from using Scales & Modes? This app is ideal for musicians, music students, and anyone learning music theory. It serves as a handy reference guide for understanding and remembering the numerous diatonic scales and modes used in Western music. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 1.9.2 — 2020-02-20 Bug Fixes ### 1.9.1 — 2019-10-28 iOS 13 Compatibility ### 1.9.0 — 2017-09-12 64 Bit Compatibility ### 1.7.0 — 2014-08-13 New root note picker based on the circle of fifths. New page flip animations. ### 1.6.0 — 2013-04-26 1) iPhone 5 graphics 2) Quiz stability improvements ## Apps similar to Scales & Modes | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Guitar Scales & Chords Power](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/guitar-scales-and-chords-power/id647000751) | 4.8 (92) | $5.99 | Music | | [JamTracks+ Learn & Play Guitar](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/jamtracks-plus-learn-and-play-guitar/id436102935) | 4.5 (757) | Free | Music | | [Guitar Gravitas: Chords Scales](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/guitar-gravitas-chords-scales/id1171417699) | 4.8 (3,896) | Free | Music | | [Guitar Chord Finder : Fabulus](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/guitar-chord-finder-fabulus/id1559087405) | 4.5 (70) | Free | Music | | [Theory Lessons](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/theory-lessons/id493157418) | 4.4 (126) | $2.99 | Music | | [Suggester 2 : Chords & Scales](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/suggester-2-chords-and-scales/id6448964737) | 4.6 (362) | Free | Music | ## More apps by Smappsoft - [Hold 'Em Helper](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hold-em-helper/id333262584) - [Scales & Modes: The Quiz](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scales-and-modes-the-quiz/id358860751) - [Scales & Modes for iPad](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scales-and-modes-for-ipad/id364902099) - [Sounds Of The Orchestra](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sounds-of-the-orchestra/id392531203) - [Look Again! Lite](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/look-again-lite/id487252582) All apps by Smappsoft: https://appshunter.io/developer/333262587 ## Related topics [the lydian](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/the-lydian) --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-25.*