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Whole Tone Scale

 

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Last updated on: 2009-08-19 4:17 PM

The whole tone scale is a six note scale with a numeric formula of 1-2-3-Sharp symbol4-Sharp symbol5-Sharp symbol6-8/1 (no seventh degree). It is a symmetrical scale in that it follows a distinct pattern of steps, those being all whole steps from tonic to tonic, this poses a problem as there can only be a total of six whole steps within the twelve notes we have, so the seventh degree is left out all together making a six note scale. There are really only four practicable patterns of the whole tone scale (due to it's symmetry) with tonics on the fifth and sixth strings, two patterns for each tonic, one which stays in position and another that covers a large area of the neck in an upwards movement.

Harmonizing The Whole Tone Scale

Tertian harmony is the harmonization of a scale moving up in thirds, whether they be major or minor. Secundal harmony is the harmonization of a scale moving up in seconds and Quartal harmony is moving up in fourths. Using strict Tertian harmony principals when harmonizing the whole tone scale (in other words using every second note in the scale for example: C-E-G) produces six augmented triads, if we harmonize using tetrads we come up with six dominant seventh sharp five chords (the augmented sixth degree being used as the minor seventh as they are enharmonic). Now relaxing the rules and making use of Secundal harmony opens up some more interesting possibilities as we are now given a flat fifth (enharmonic to the Sharp symbol4). This produces six flat five chords and six dominant seventh flat five chords. For pentads we add a major ninth interval and come up with six dominant ninth sharp five chords and six dominant ninth flat five chords (equivalent to a dominant ninth sharp eleventh chord).

Whole Tone Scale Profile

Numeric Formula 1-2-3-Sharp symbol4-Sharp symbol5-Sharp symbol6-8/1
Notation Formula (key of C) C-D-E-FSharp symbol-GSharp symbol-ASharp symbol-C/1
Stepping whole / whole / whole / whole / whole / whole
Tonal tone / tone / tone / tone / tone / tone
Harmonized Triads (key of C) CAugmented symbol, C(Flat symbol5) / DAugmented symbol, D(Flat symbol5) / EAugmented symbol, E(Flat symbol5) / FSharp symbolAugmented symbol, FSharp symbol(Flat symbol5) / GSharp symbolAugmented symbol, GSharp symbol(Flat symbol5) / ASharp symbolAugmented symbol, ASharp symbol(Flat symbol5)
Harmonized Tetrads (key of C) C7(Sharp symbol5), C7(Flat symbol5) / D7(Sharp symbol5), D7(Flat symbol5) / E7(Sharp symbol5), E7(Flat symbol5) / FSharp symbol7(Sharp symbol5), FSharp symbol7(Flat symbol5) / GSharp symbol7(Sharp symbol5), GSharp symbol7(Flat symbol5) / ASharp symbol7(Sharp symbol5), ASharp symbol7(Flat symbol5)

Whole Tone Scale Patterns

The scales below are not shown in any particular key, they are patterns which can be moved around the guitar neck freely using the tonic (circled dot) as your navigator. See example below.

  • How to use
  • As an example, let's say you require a D major scale
  • After playing all the major scale patterns, you decide on pattern #2
  • Pattern #2 has it's root on the 5th string so you need to find the D note on this string
  • Click the notes on the neck chart tab and find the D note on the 5th fret (5th string)
  • Now play the D major scale using pattern #2 on the 5th fret
  • Use the Octave chart tab to help you remember which notes are where
  • Use the Scale chart help tab if your a beginner at reading scale charts
Whole tone scale pattern (fifth string tonic)
Whole tone scale pattern (fifth string tonic, alternate)
Whole tone scale pattern (sixth string tonic)
Whole tone scale pattern (sixth string tonic, alternate)
Scale chart help
Notes on the guitar neck chart (lite version)
Octaves chart

Using octaves to learn notes on the guitar neck

  1. First determine which chord you require, let's use a B major chord in this example.
  2. We know the root note is B, (if it were an A major chord the root note would be A and for Cma7 it would be C, etc etc)
  3. Using the notes on the guitar neck chart, find the B note on the 6th string, 7th fret.
  4. Now using the major scale patterns chart, look for pattern #4 which has it's root note on the 6th string and play it, your done!
  5. Remember, learning and memorizing notes, chord voicings and scales in this way will improve your playing skills, theoretical knowledge and desirability as a band member.

Whole Tone Scale Audio Sample(s)

To download audio sample(s) for later listening, right click on the MP3 link, then from the context menu that appears select Save Target As (Internet Explorer) or Save Link As (Firefox).

Audio Sample Name Flash MP3
A Whole Tone Scale 6th String Tonic a-whole-tone-scale-sixth-string-tonic.mp3

Related Lessons & Resources

External Resources