Whole Tone Scale

3 Minute Theory: How to Build a Whole Tone Scale

Today, on 3 Minute Theory, we are building the whole tone scale. This scale is easily recognized by its dream-like tonality. It is also very easy to build!

The whole tone scale follows this pattern:

Whole Step - Whole Step - Whole Step - Whole Step - Whole Step - Whole Step

(If you’d like more information on intervals, whole steps, and half steps, check out this post.)

As this pattern is so simple, there are essentially only two versions of this scale.

The first version uses these six pitches:

C D E F# G# A#

Scales are typically named after their starting pitch. You may see this version named by any of these six pitches, since the grouping of pitches will stay the same regardless of the starting pitch.

Here is an example of the whole tone scale starting on C, or the C Whole Tone Scale.

The second version uses these six pitches:

C# D# F G A B

Here is an example of the whole tone scale starting on C#, or the C# Whole Tone Scale.

Again, you may see this same collection of notes named by any of these six pitches, as the starting pitch will not affect the grouping of pitches. This is not true for all scales, only the whole tone scale.

(For tips on identifying pitches on the piano, click here.)