How it Works

The Musical Scales Heatmap is a powerful visualization tool designed to explore the relationships between musical scales. Here's how it works:

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The Structure of the Heatmap

• The heatmap is a 336x336 grid, representing all combinations of:
  • 12 tonalities (the 12 notes in music: C, C#, D, etc.).
  • 4 main scales: Major, Natural Minor, Harmonic Minor, and Melodic Minor.
  • 7 modes for each scale.
• Each cell compares two scales, one from the X-axis and one from the Y-axis, calculating their degree of similarity or dissonance.

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Color-Coded Similarity

The color of each cell represents the level of similarity between the two scales:

• Dark red: High similarity (shared notes and harmonies).
• Dark blue: High dissonance (minimal shared notes).
• Lighter shades: Intermediate levels of similarity.

This visual representation allows musicians to quickly identify areas of high compatibility or explore transitions between contrasting scales.

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Detailed Information on Click

Clicking on a cell reveals detailed information about the interaction between the two scales:

• Scale X: The scale on the X-axis (e.g., "F# Major Degree 2").
• Scale Y: The scale on the Y-axis (e.g., "G# Natural Minor Degree 2").
• Shared Chords and Notes:
  • A list of shared chords that can serve as "bridges" for modulation between the scales.
  • For each shared chord:
    • Tonic: The root note of the chord.
    • Coincidence: A value prioritizing harmonically relevant notes (e.g., 3rd or 5th).
    • Notes: The notes forming the chord (e.g., "F#, A, C#, E").
    • Chord degrees: Functional roles in a concise format (e.g., "1_3_7_9").
• Total Probability: A numeric indicator of the overall compatibility between the two scales.

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Navigate Modulations

The heatmap enables you to navigate potential modulations:

• Select the tonality, scale, and mode of your current composition on the X-axis.
• Find your target tonality, scale, and mode on the Y-axis.
• Use the detailed information in the selected cell to:
  • Identify shared chords for modulation.
  • Analyze the degree of similarity or contrast between scales.

This feature is especially valuable for composers and improvisers designing smooth or bold transitions between musical ideas.

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What You Can Do

• Discover Modulation Paths: Use shared chord information for smooth transitions in compositions or improvisations.
• Analyze Dissonance and Compatibility: Identify compatible or contrasting scales for a given tonality.
• Interactive Exploration: Zoom in to explore specific areas or scroll through broader patterns.
• Plan Transitions: Design modulation strategies for your compositions.