Scale identification

Ladder - scale identification ear training game

Ladder trains the sound of scales and modes. You hear a scale shape, then choose the scale type that matches its color.

What this game trains

Scales

Scale recognition connects theory to real listening. It helps musicians understand melodic color, modal borrowing, improvisation choices, and why one set of notes feels different from another.

How it works

  1. 1

    Hear a scale played with a clear root.

  2. 2

    Choose the scale or mode you heard.

  3. 3

    Compare similar colors like major, minor, and modal variants.

  4. 4

    Unlock more scale families as recognition improves.

Difficulty progression

Levels add musical material gradually, so the challenge grows with your ear.

Tier 1

Starts with familiar major and minor sounds.

Tier 2

Introduces modes and advanced scale colors.

Tier 3

Mixes more roots and harder distractors.

Keep training your ear

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Go deeper

Modes ear training

Understand how scales and modes sound in practice.

Read the guide

Common questions

Do I need an instrument to play this game?
No. Coco plays the sound and gives you focused answer choices, so you only need headphones and a few minutes of attention.
Can beginners use this game?
Yes. Early levels keep the answer set narrow, then add more notes, intervals, chords, or scales as your ear gets stronger.
Do I need to know modes before playing Ladder?
No. Coco introduces new scale sounds gradually, so the listening task and theory grow together.

Practice scale identification in Coco

Download Coco and start a short ear-training session today.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Free to start · iOS & Android · or play on the web