# A small PyQt app to visualize scales and modes to educate myself :-)

**URL:** <https://forum.udo-audio.com/t/a-small-pyqt-app-to-visualize-scales-and-modes-to-educate-myself/3166>\
**Category:** Music & Audio Production\
**Created:** [25 January 2025 09:49 UTC](https://forum.udo-audio.com/t/a-small-pyqt-app-to-visualize-scales-and-modes-to-educate-myself/3166 "2025-01-25T09:49:42Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![GregVDS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/90db22/32.png) [@GregVDS](https://forum.udo-audio.com/u/GregVDS)\
**Post date:** [25 January 2025 09:49 UTC](https://forum.udo-audio.com/t/a-small-pyqt-app-to-visualize-scales-and-modes-to-educate-myself/3166/1 "2025-01-25T09:49:43Z")

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Here is a work in progress I’m on currently:

 ![Capture d’écran 2025-01-25 à 10.39.25](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/flex017/uploads/udo_audio/original/1X/8e6e4674aafb7252e18aaedb0003b5942e69db21.png)

My aim is to be able to get a visual aid for finger positions according to Scale/mode and root note chosen. Currently, I have colours changing erraticaly when switching scales and modes. As I said, WIP 😉 .

This is based on a similar app I made for myself for guitar some time ago.

It helps going out of the usual stuff.

I found all the scales and modes in the excellent Guitar Cookbook of Romain Morlot.

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**Author:** ![unclewayback](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex017/user_avatar/forum.udo-audio.com/unclewayback/32/1096_2.png) [@unclewayback](https://forum.udo-audio.com/u/unclewayback)\
**Post date:** [25 January 2025 11:18 UTC](https://forum.udo-audio.com/t/a-small-pyqt-app-to-visualize-scales-and-modes-to-educate-myself/3166/2 "2025-01-25T11:18:08Z")

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Looks helpful! Don’t know if this would be of interest to you:

> **[Essence of Harmony (FREE PDF)](https://primechords.gumroad.com/l/harmony)**
>
> After a year of intense work, I'm excited to share Essence of Harmony—a 134-page, visually rich PDF that will change the way you understand and apply music theory. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned musician, this guide is designed to streamline...

It amounts to using a paper strip with coloured dots across the top of the keyboard, to easily visualise chords/harmonic relationships. I was thinking of getting some nice card and maybe some magnets, and making one to sit on my Gemini and help me learn.

Just sharing in case you find any inspiration there!

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**Author:** ![GregVDS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/90db22/32.png) [@GregVDS](https://forum.udo-audio.com/u/GregVDS)\
**Post date:** [28 January 2025 16:53 UTC](https://forum.udo-audio.com/t/a-small-pyqt-app-to-visualize-scales-and-modes-to-educate-myself/3166/3 "2025-01-28T16:53:57Z")

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update:

Added to ability to visualize several degrees of the scale/mode:

 ![Capture d’écran 2025-01-28 à 17.45.11](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/flex017/uploads/udo_audio/original/1X/ad162af28bf5a81a6c1cbcce8fee027fe3da9714.jpeg)

I would like to refine the way to present chords in the keyboard(s). Each degree should be able to show a different chord.

I tried to ‘compile’ the python code so as to obtain a MacOS universal binary. It seems to work, but I can only test it on my M1 Max…

Tempted to add some MIDI listening ability, then showing what key are played in real time 🙂