Whole tone scales

The whole tone scale is a scale of 6 notes comprised of all whole steps (marked as W between 2 notes in scales).

Only two whole tone scales – one starts on C and the other on C# or Db. After this the scales repeat the notes (i.e., they start on a different note, but these notes are the same as the C or Db/C# whole tone scale.)

A whole tone scale is a symmetrical scale since it divides the octave into six equal parts (whole steps).

As with other scales, there are chords that occur naturally in this scale.

In the examples below, the scale degrees are marked as in other scales; the scale degrees are indicated in reference to the major scale of the start of the scale (the tonic).

At the end of each scale, are the chords contained in the scale. With whole tone scales, an augmented triad (1 3 #5) and a French 6th chord (1 3 #4 #6), other wise known as a V7b5 (1 3 b5 b7) occur naturally in the scale.

Knowing that these scales contain these types of chords means that you can use the whole tone scale to improvise when you see an augmented triad or a V7b5 marked in your score.

Exercises:

Play whole tone scale on your instruments. Try starting on different notes of the scale and continuing the scale for more than one octave.

If you play a transposing instruments, be sure to know what note you start on to get the sounding scale you want.

Improvise on the notes in a whole tone scale.

Write a progression containing an augmented triad (III+ or V+) or a French augmented 6th (or V7b5). Then improvise on the chords in the progression, using the whole tone scale for the chords above.