Scale Maker: Printable Scale Reference for Any Instrument

You're working on Dorian in A, or you need a quick pentatonic reference for a student. Instead of searching online or opening another app, the Scale Maker lets you build a printable scale reference in a few clicks — pick your instrument, choose a key and scale, and download a clean PDF.

Why a Printed Scale Reference?

Phone and tablet screens are handy, but they're distractions. A one-page scale reference on your music stand or in your binder shows exactly the key and mode you're studying, with clear fretboard or keyboard diagrams. No scrolling, no ads, no notifications — just the scales you need.

How the Scale Maker Works

The Scale Maker generates printable scale diagrams in three steps:

1. Pick your instrument — guitar, piano, bass, ukulele, mandolin, or banjo. Each instrument gets the right diagram type: fretboard for stringed instruments, keyboard for piano.
2. Choose key and scale — select any root note (C through B, including sharps and flats) and any scale type: major, minor, pentatonic, blues, or any of the seven modes.
3. Add to your sheet and export — keep adding scales to build a full reference page. Drag to reorder, group into sections, pick a color theme, then download as PDF or add to a songbook.

You can show notes, intervals, or scale degrees on each diagram. Guitar players can mirror the fretboard for left-handed playing. The tool supports A4 and Letter paper in portrait or landscape — choose what fits your binder or stand.

Scales for Every Instrument

The Scale Maker isn't just for guitar. It generates diagrams for six instruments, each with the right visual format:

• Guitar — 6-string fretboard diagrams with dot positions for each scale pattern.
• Piano — keyboard diagrams showing which keys to play, with the root note highlighted.
• Bass — 4-string fretboard diagrams tuned for bass guitar.
• Ukulele — compact 4-string diagrams with standard ukulele tuning.
• Mandolin — 4-course fretboard diagrams in fifths tuning.
• Banjo — 5-string diagrams for standard banjo tuning.

You can mix instruments on the same page — useful if you teach multiple instruments or play in an ensemble and want everyone's reference on one sheet.

Ready-Made Scale Templates

Don't want to build from scratch? The Scale Maker includes ready-made templates for each instrument — pentatonic scales, major scales, minor scales, blues scales, and mode overviews. Preview them, download the PDF, or use one as a starting point and customize it.

GuitarPianoBassUkuleleMandolinBanjo

Guitar: Pentatonic Scales

Major and minor pentatonic patterns in popular keys · 10 scales

Browse all 16 ready-made templates →

Add It to Your Lesson or Songbook

Scale references work best when they live with your other materials. Teachers can add a scale page to custom student workbooks — one sheet per key or per student. If you use a songbook for gigs or practice, add the scale reference as its own section. Pair it with a chord reference sheet so your students have scales and chords in one book.

For blank fretboard diagrams to mark your own shapes, try the Fretboard Diagrams tool.

Tips for Teachers & Practice

• Teachers: Create a scale handout per key (e.g. “Key of G — major, pentatonic, and modes”) and add it to lesson books or print as handouts. Use a different color theme per student level.
• Practice: Keep one reference for the key you're currently working on. Update it when you move to a new key or add modes. Having it on your stand keeps you in the flow.
• Ensembles: Create a single page with the same scale shown on multiple instruments — guitar, bass, and piano together — so the whole band sees the same key.
• Print: Use the same paper as your songbook so the scale sheet stays with your other materials. Our printing guide covers settings and binding.

Frequently Asked Questions