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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
