Music theory for guitar doesn't have to be complicated. The Dead Sea Scales approach is: learn shapes first, understand the theory through what you can see and hear on the fretboard.
Every scale and mode is built from intervals — distances between notes. On guitar, every interval has a consistent shape regardless of where you are on the neck. Learn 12 intervals and you understand every scale there is.
The major scale (Ionian mode) is the reference point for all music theory. Every other scale and mode is described relative to it. W W H W W W H. Learn this pattern and its 7 starting points and you know all 7 diatonic modes.
The 7-note major scale leaves 5 chromatic notes unused. The Dead Sea Scales system names and colors these 5 notes, showing you exactly how to add them to any modal framework — generating 35 additional scales beyond the 7 diatonic modes.
Dead Sea Scales™ is a free interactive guitar tool with all 7 diatonic modes, 42 total scales, audio playback, and printable reference posters. No login required.
All 42 modes · Every key · Audio playback · Free PDF posters · No login
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