Reverse Lookup for Chord/Scale Names with a MIDI Keyboard
* This page is recommended for PC/Mac. Please use a browser such as Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge. (As of October 2024, Safari is not supported.)
An app that performs a reverse lookup of the chord names and scale names matching the notes you play on a MIDI keyboard.
(If you use a virtual MIDI driver, you can use it even without a MIDI keyboard.)
You can also check detailed information such as each chord's characteristics.
* If you want to do a reverse lookup without a MIDI device → please use ③ Reverse Lookup for Chord/Scale Names.
* Guitarists and other string-instrument players → we recommend ⑪ Reverse Lookup for Chord/Scale Names from a Fretboard.
[How to Use]
1. When your browser asks for permission to use MIDI devices, allow it.
2. Check that your MIDI device is shown under "Connected MIDI Devices".
3. Adjust the volume as needed.
4. Play your MIDI keyboard. (Send MIDI input.)
5. The chord/scale name is detected.
A more detailed video guide is available here (Japanese)↓
→A more detailed written guide is available here (Japanese).
[About the Sustain Pedal]
You can switch whether sustain pedal input is accepted or not.
When "Sustain Pedal: ON" is set, all input made while the sustain pedal is pressed is held even after you release the keys.
[About Keeping Input]
When you press the "Keep Input" button, input is held even after you release the keys.
Input is also temporarily kept while you hold down a sustain pedal connected to your keyboard.
To release the input of a specific key, press the same key again or turn off the sustain pedal.
[What to Do If You Hear No Sound]
- If you have not allowed your browser to use MIDI devices, please allow it.
- Check your device's "volume settings" and "mute settings".
- Check that the on-screen "Volume" bar is not set to 0.
- Try reloading the page.
If you still hear no sound after trying the above, we would appreciate it if you could let us know via the contact form.
[Tuning Types]
We have compiled the tunings of major string instruments such as the guitar, bass, and violin.
Simply choose one from the dropdown list, and the corresponding fretboard is drawn.
[Dominant Hand]
You can switch between right-handed and left-handed display using "Switch dominant hand" at the bottom of the screen.
[Number of Frets]
You can choose a value from 1 to 30 from the dropdown list.
[Note Notation]
You can choose from four note-notation systems for the fretboard: English/American, Italian, Japanese, and German.
If you are a beginner, the Italian notation (Do, Re, Mi, ...) may feel more familiar.
[Coloring Rules]
Notes are colored relative to the selected tonic (root note), in a movable-do manner.
For example, the tonic (root note) is blue, and the perfect 5th is yellow.
Also, enharmonic notes share the same color.
For example, the major 3rd and the diminished 4th are both green.
[Scale Information]
On the scale screen, the scale's name and related information are displayed.
[Chord Information]
How to read the chord and its detailed information are displayed.
For chords with a dominant function, the main chords they resolve to are also shown.
* The main resolution targets are determined based on the augmented 4th interval contained in the chord.
Chords shown in red are hybrid chords. (Example: B♭/C)
Blue chords are USTs (upper structure triads). (Example: D/C)
[Handling of Enharmonic Notes]
This page does not make a strict distinction between enharmonic notes.
Reference article: Enharmonic Equivalents Explained [What Is the Difference Between C# and D♭?] (Japanese)
[Accuracy of Information]
The information provided here may not be accurate.
Of course, we take the greatest care in publishing information and materials.
However, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the published content.
If you find any incorrect information, we would appreciate it if you could let us know via the contact form.
[Disclaimer]
We accept no responsibility whatsoever, for any reason, for any damage arising in connection with the use or download of the information and materials published on this site.
[Why Learn the Main Scales Containing a Chord's Notes?]
A chord's role changes depending on the surrounding flow and its position relative to the key in use.
Information about the main scales containing a chord's notes will be useful as a reference for modal interchange and for modulation.
[About Negative Harmony Theory]
A concept that splits the circle of fifths between the key's tonic and its perfect 5th, and holds that "notes in symmetrical positions are interchangeable".
It is a theory said to have been proposed by Ernst Levy and popularized by Jacob Collier.
[About Quartal Chords]
A "quartal chord" is a chord built by stacking notes a fourth apart, starting from the root note.
Here, "fourth" refers to the "perfect 4th" and the "augmented 4th" (since the "diminished 4th" is the enharmonic equivalent of the "major 3rd").
There is still no widely agreed-upon chord-name notation for quartal chords.
Therefore, the chord names used on this site are only one example and, at least as of 2024, cannot be called a common notation.
An article with a more detailed guide on how to use this app.
◆ Making You Understand the Notes on the Fretboard (Japanese)
A video explaining how to learn the notes on the guitar fretboard.
◆ Guitar Chord Chart Without Open Strings (Japanese)
A PDF score (with TAB) compiling "chord forms that do not use open strings" for 30+ chords.
◆ Guitar Chord Chart With Open Strings (Japanese)
A PDF score (with TAB) compiling a large number of "chord forms using open strings".
◆ [Music Theory Learning Roadmap] Where Should You Start Studying Music Theory? (Japanese)
An article summarizing how to approach learning music theory.
◆ Slash Chords Explained [Inversions / UST / Hybrid Chords] (Japanese)
An article explaining the types and roles of slash chords.
◆ Substitute Chords, and the Concept of USTs and Hybrid Chords (Japanese)
An article summarizing how to think about substitute chords, USTs (upper structure triads), and hybrid chords.
◆ The Story of Making an App to Easily Explore Negative Harmony (Japanese)
An article summarizing an overview of negative harmony.
[Web]
◆ Interview: Jacob Collier (Part 1) (YouTube)
◆ How to Name or Notate Quartal Chords (YouTube)
[Books]
◆ Blue Notes and Tonality: Fundamental Theory for Improvisation and Composition (Japanese)
Author: Motohiko Hamase
First edition: 1998/12/11
Publisher: Zen-On Music
Authors: Naruyoshi Kikuchi, Yoshio Otani
First edition: 2010/5/1
Publisher: Kawade Shobo Shinsha
Authors: Naruyoshi Kikuchi, Yoshio Otani
First edition: 2010/5/1
Publisher: Kawade Shobo Shinsha
◆ More! A Book for Composing Just the Way You Want (Japanese)
Author: Ken Kawamura
First edition: 2018/6/25
Publisher: Rittor Music
◆ Vaideology: Basic Music Theory for Guitar Players (Japanese edition)
Author: Steve Vai
First edition: 2019/10/17
Publisher: Shinko Music
[Recommended MIDI Keyboard]
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