nr neirocca sound-first music theory

Melody & Ear

Melody Note Guide

See which notes fit over any chord. Chord tones and scale tones highlighted on a piano. Free browser tool.

Key

C MajorDiatonic Chords

Chord Tones (always safe)Scale Tones (melodically natural)

Tap a chord below to highlight the matching melody notes on the piano

Selected chord

What is this tool?

Pick a chord and the piano instantly shows you which notes to play over it. Green keys are chord tones (always sound right), blue keys are scale tones (natural melody options). See and hear which notes fit each chord at the same time.

When it helps

  • Choosing melody notes

    Instantly see which notes will sound right over each chord. Lean on the green notes for safe, stable-sounding melodies.

  • Improvisation practice

    The highlight changes with every chord, so you train your ear and eye to follow a progression and pick correct notes in real time.

  • Ear training and song analysis

    Look at any song you love and see which chord tones and scale tones the melody is built from.

How to use

  1. 1 Choose a key and major/minor at the top.
  2. 2 Tap any of the 7 diatonic chord buttons — the chord plays immediately.
  3. 3 Green piano keys are chord tones; blue keys are scale tones. Prioritize green for stability.
  4. 4 Tap a different chord to see the highlight shift. Listen to how the available notes change.
  5. 5 Press "▶ Play chord" in the dock to hear the selected chord again.

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