Oreo Theory
Oreo Theory is the idea that any two notes, regardless of the interval between them, may be compatible, and that what really matters are the notes that exist between them. Think of it like an Oreo cookie: you have the two dark-colored (unless you eat vanilla oreos.. ew) biscuits on the top and bottom, and you have the cream in the middle that holds them together. The "biscuits" in this sense are the top and bottom notes, and the "cream" are the notes that justify the two notes and solidify their harmonic profile. If you've ever seen reharmonization exercises where the guy takes two notes and sets one to descend chromatically, harmonizing each note pair, you'll understand what we're talking about.
"for example, bass note D, melody note G# how could we harmonize that? well the interval is a #11. what scales have a #11? lydian, which outlines a DM13#11. or perhaps even arcadian? D13#11" - Convexity, May 27th, 2026
This video by Convexity explains Oreo Theory in detail.
CREAM CHART
| Interval between cookies
(scale degree) |
Interval between cookies
(interval notation) |
Possible Ionian Creams | Possible Athenian Creams | Possible Appalachian Creams | Possible Laramidian Creams |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | P1 | Any | Any | Any | Any |
| b9 | m2 | Phrygian
Locrian |
Cappadocian
Palamidian |
Herculean
Adonian Morphean |
Sangarian
Plummetian Phobetorian |
| 9 | M2 | Lydian
Ionian Mixolydian Dorian Aeolian |
Asgardian
Arcadian Olympian Athenian Sisyphean |
Thesian
Paralydian Appalachian |
Morossian
Laramidian Dolorian |
| b3 / #9 | m3 | Dorian
Aeolian Phrygian Locrian |
Athenian
Cappadocian Sisyphean Palamidian |
Calliopean
Paralydian Appalachian Adonian Morphean |
Empyrean
Morossian Dolorian Plummetian Phobetorian |
| 3 | M3 | Lydian
Ionian Mixolydian |
Asgardian
Arcadian Olympian Palamidian |
Calliopean
Thesian Herculean Morphean |
Empyrean
Laramidian Sangarian Plummetian |
| 11 | P4 | Ionian
Mixolydian Dorian Aeolian Phrygian Locrian |
Olympian
Athenian Cappadocian Sisyphean |
Thesian
Appalachian Herculean Adonian |
Laramidian
Sangarian Dolorian Phobetorian |
| #11 / b5 | TT | Lydian
Locrian |
Asgardian
Arcadian Sisyphean Palamidian |
Calliopean
Paralydian Adonian Morphean |
Empyrean
Morossian Dolorian Phobetorian |
| 5 | P5 | Lydian
Ionian Mixolydian Dorian Aeolian Phrygian |
Arcadian
Olympian Athenian Cappadocian |
Calliopean
Paralydian Appalachian Herculean |
Morossian
Laramidian Sangarian Plummetian |
| #5 / b13 | m6 | Aeolian
Phrygian Locrian |
Asgardian
Olympian Sisyphean Palamidian |
Thesian
Appalachian Herculean Morphean |
Empyrean
Laramidian Plummetian Phobetorian |
| 13 | M6 | Lydian
Ionian Mixolydian Dorian |
Asgardian
Arcadian Athenian Cappadocian |
Calliopean
Thesian Paralydian Adonian Morphean |
Empyrean
Morossian Sangarian Dolorian Phobetorian |
| b7 | m7 | Mixolydian
Dorian Aeolian Phrygian Locrian |
Arcadian
Olympian Cappadocian Sisyphean Palamidian |
Paralydian
Herculean Adonian |
Sangarian
Dolorian Plummetian |
| 7 | M7 | Lydian
Ionian |
Asgardian
Athenian |
Calliopean
Thesian Appalachian |
Empyrean
Morossian Laramidian |