Practice Games
Scale Sprint
Play scales from memory—major, minor, pentatonic, and modes. The game shows you a scale name, and you play the notes in order on your keyboard.
Quick Overview
- ✓ Goal — See a scale name, play all its notes in order on your keyboard
- ✓ Scale types — Major, natural minor, harmonic minor, melodic minor, pentatonic, and all seven modes
- ✓ Two display modes — Build (recall from memory) or Read (see the notes on the staff)
- ✓ Adjustable hints — Control how much help you get, from full note names to no hints at all
- ✓ Direction — Play ascending, descending, or both
1 What Is Scale Sprint?
Scale Sprint tests whether you actually know your scales—not just recognize them on the page, but recall them from memory. The game gives you a scale name like "D Major" or "A Natural Minor" and you play it note by note.
Knowing scales cold is one of the most useful things you can do as a pianist. They're the building blocks of melodies, improvisation, and understanding key signatures. And if you can play them without thinking, your sight-reading gets a lot easier.
2 Settings
Scale Focus
Pick which scale types to practice. Start with major scales, then add natural minor. When you're comfortable, throw in harmonic minor, melodic minor, pentatonic, and modes (Dorian, Mixolydian, etc.).
Root Notes
Choose which root notes to include. You can limit it to C and G at first, or go all twelve. More roots means more variety—and more sharps and flats to remember.
Direction
Ascending — play from root up to octave. Descending — play from octave down to root. Both — the game randomly picks a direction.
Display Mode
Build — you see only the scale name. Recall the notes from memory. Read — the notes appear on the staff. Play what you see. Great for connecting scale patterns to notation.
Hint Level
Control how much help the game gives you. At full hints, you see note names as you go. At no hints, you're on your own. Dial it down as you improve.
3 How to Play
- A scale name appears (e.g., "Bb Major ascending").
- Play the first note of the scale on your MIDI keyboard.
- If it's correct, the game highlights it and waits for the next note.
- Continue playing each note in order until you complete the scale.
- If you play a wrong note, the game tells you. Try again from where you left off.
Correct
"C Major ascending"—you play C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C. Done.
Wrong
"F Major ascending"—you play F, G, A, B. That B should be Bb. Try again from that note.
Any octave works. You can start the scale in any octave on your keyboard. The game checks the note names, not the specific octave.
4 Scale Types
Major
The standard major scale. Whole-whole-half-whole-whole-whole-half. Start here if you're new to scales.
Natural Minor
The basic minor scale. Same notes as the relative major, just starting on a different root.
Harmonic & Melodic Minor
Variations on the minor scale. Harmonic minor raises the 7th. Melodic minor raises both the 6th and 7th going up, and reverts going down.
Pentatonic
Five-note scales—major pentatonic and minor pentatonic. Common in pop, blues, and improvisation.
Modes
Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, and Locrian. Each starts on a different degree of the major scale and has its own character.
Tips
- Start with major scales in easy keys. C, G, D, and F major are good starting points.
- Use Read mode first. See the notes on the staff, then switch to Build mode when you can play them from memory.
- Practice descending too. Most people drill ascending only. Descending is just as important.
- Add one scale type at a time. Master major before adding minor. Add modes last.
- Think in patterns. A major scale is always whole-whole-half-whole-whole-whole-half, regardless of the starting note.
Troubleshooting
The game keeps saying my note is wrong but I'm sure it's right
Double-check for accidentals. F major has a Bb—if you play B natural, the game marks it wrong. Scales with sharps and flats trip people up, especially in less familiar keys.
Also check that you're playing the notes in the correct order for the direction (ascending vs descending).
I don't know what a mode is
Modes are scales built on different degrees of the major scale. For example, D Dorian uses the same notes as C major but starts on D. Don't worry about modes until you're solid on major and minor scales.
You can disable modes in the Scale Focus setting and add them later.
My MIDI keyboard isn't working in the game
Connect your MIDI keyboard before opening the game page. If you plugged it in after, refresh the page. See MIDI Not Working? for more help.
Still Need Help?
If Scale Sprint isn't behaving as expected, reach out. Let us know which scale and settings you're using.
Response time: 2-3 business days