Whole Tone Scale Guitar
Fretboard diagrams, TAB, and positions for the whole tone scale across all 12 keys. The only scale with just 2 unique shapes.
Why Only 2 Unique Shapes?
The whole tone scale has 6 equal whole steps. Shift any note up 2 semitones and you get the same scale in a new key -- but only 2 transpositions exist before the notes repeat.
Practical shortcut: once you learn 2 shapes, you can play whole tone scales in ALL 12 keys. No other common scale works this way.
The Whole Tone Sound: All Whole Steps
Compare C major (with half steps) vs C whole tone (all whole steps). The lack of half steps is what creates the floating, unresolved quality.
| Scale | 1 | step | 2 | step | 3 | step | 4 | step | 5 | step | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C Major | C | W | D | W | E | H | F | W | G | W | A... |
| C Whole Tone | C | W | D | W | E | W | F# | W | G# | W | A# |
W = whole step (2 frets), H = half step (1 fret). C whole tone has NO half steps at all.
C Whole Tone Guitar Positions (Group A)
C whole tone notes: C, D, E, F#, G#, A#. Because all intervals are 2 frets, the patterns are visually symmetrical and easy to spot.
Position 1 (Root on low E)
Root at low E fret 8 (C). All intervals are 2 frets apart (whole steps). Every pair of adjacent notes on a string is 2 frets, giving a distinctive "skip" pattern. This is the most common starting position.
Position 2 (Root on A string)
Root at A string fret 10 (C) or think of root at low E fret 8. Shifted up 2 frets from Position 1. Great for upper-register lines and connecting to other positions. Notice how the whole-tone shapes repeat every 2 strings.
Using Whole Tone Over Augmented Chords
Root position whole tone. Use C whole tone freely over any Caug chord. All notes of the augmented triad are in the scale.
Dominant 7 sharp 5. The classic jazz application. Play C whole tone over G7#5 before resolving to Cmaj.
Augmented major 7. Neo-soul and jazz. The whole tone adds the dreamy floating quality over this chord.
Classic jazz tension device. Play G whole tone over G7 for tension, then resolve to C major scale over Cmaj7.
Avoid whole tone over: minor chords, standard major chords, dominant 7 chords without the #5. The perfect 4th and 5th in those chords will clash with the raised #4 and #5 in the whole tone scale.
All 12 Keys Reference
| Root | Notes | Group | Low E Fret | Genres |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | C, D, E, F#, G#, A# | A | 8 | Jazz, film score |
| Db | Db, Eb, F, G, A, B | B | 9 | Jazz, impressionist |
| D | D, E, F#, G#, A#, C | A | 10 | Neo-soul, jazz fusion |
| Eb | Eb, F, G, A, B, Db | B | 11 | Jazz, film |
| E | E, F#, G#, A#, C, D | A | 0 | Jazz fusion, film score |
| F | F, G, A, B, Db, Eb | B | 1 | Impressionist, jazz |
| F# | F#, G#, A#, C, D, E | A | 2 | Prog rock, film |
| G | G, A, B, Db, Eb, F | B | 3 | Jazz, smooth jazz |
| Ab | Ab, Bb, C, D, E, F# | A | 4 | Neo-soul, jazz |
| A | A, B, C#, D#, F, G | B | 5 | Jazz fusion, film |
| Bb | Bb, C, D, E, F#, Ab | A | 6 | Jazz, impressionist |
| B | B, Db, Eb, F, G, A | B | 7 | Film score, prog |
Group A keys all use the same 6 pitches (enharmonically). Group B keys all use the same 6 pitches. Learn one shape per group and you can play whole tone scales in all 12 keys instantly.
Famous Whole Tone Guitar Moments
The foundational whole tone composition. Often transcribed for classical guitar. The entire piece floats on a whole tone scale.
Zappa frequently used whole tone runs in jazz-rock fusion guitar solos, creating disorienting alien textures.
Progressive rock guitarists use whole tone for spacey, atmospheric sections between heavy riffs.
The classic jazz application: whole tone scale over the V7#5 chord before resolving to Imaj7.
Whole tone creates the weightless, disorienting quality used in space and dream sequences.
Bebop and cool jazz guitarists insert whole tone runs over dominant 7#5 chords as tension devices.
Whole Tone Scale by Genre
| Genre | Common Use | Guitar Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Jazz Fusion | Over dom7#5, V7 tension | Use ascending whole tone run over G7#5, land on major 3rd of Cmaj7 on resolution |
| Impressionist Classical | Modal, floating atmosphere | Sustain notes, use delay, avoid strong downbeats -- let the scale drift |
| Film Score | Dream sequences, weightlessness | Play slow melodic lines with lots of reverb. Avoid rhythmic patterns that create "groove" |
| Progressive Rock | Texture contrast, alien sound | Whole tone as a contrast section between normal scale sections -- the strangeness becomes obvious |
| Neo-Soul | Augmented maj7 chords, lush harmony | Use over Gmaj7#5 or Dbmaj7#5 for a lush, sophisticated sound |
| Metal (Advanced) | Chromatic/exotic tension riffs | Whole tone runs work as brief tension devices before resolving to power chords |
6 Ways to Use the Whole Tone Scale on Guitar
The most common jazz application. If you see G7#5 in a chord chart, play G whole tone for instant tension before resolving.
A fast ascending whole tone run (6 notes, all 2 frets apart) creates a floating rush of tension, then land on a target note.
Hear a dreamy, unresolved melodic run? Count the intervals -- if all are whole steps and the melody has only 6 notes before cycling, it is whole tone.
Every 3 notes (skipping one) in a whole tone scale forms an augmented triad. Alternate between the scale and Caug/Eaug/G#aug arpeggios.
Learn Group A shape (C whole tone) and Group B shape (Db whole tone). Those 2 patterns cover all 12 keys. Biggest efficiency in all of music theory.
Play a phrase in natural minor, then answer with a whole tone phrase. The contrast between resolution (minor) and suspension (whole tone) is dramatic.
6 Practice Tips
On any string, any note in the scale is exactly 2 frets from the next. Practice one-string runs until the spacing is automatic.
Play C whole tone then Db whole tone back to back. Notice they are different pitches but the same finger shape shifted one fret.
Search "G7#5 backing track" and improvise with G whole tone. Hearing the resolution to Cmaj is the fastest way to internalize the tension/resolution function.
The whole tone scale sounds best at slower tempos with spatial effects. Fast whole tone runs can sound like exercises. Slow melodic lines sound like impressionist music.
If you are learning a jazz standard or film score that uses whole tone, detect the key at beatkey.app, then find whether the chord has a #5 or is an augmented chord to locate the right whole tone group.
After learning each position separately, practice flowing from Position 1 to Position 2 (2 frets higher) on the same root without stopping. Connect them into a smooth single line.
BeatKey Whole Tone Workflow
Upload audio to beatkey.app to find the key and BPM. Use chords.beatkey.app to detect whether the track uses augmented or dom7#5 chords where whole tone applies.
If the dominant chord root is in Group A (C, D, E, F#, Ab, Bb) use the Group A shape. If it is in Group B (Db, Eb, F, G, A, B) use the Group B shape.
Use the interactive Guitar Scale chart at scales.beatkey.app to see the whole tone scale highlighted across the full neck for your root note.
More Guitar Scale Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the whole tone scale on guitar?
The whole tone scale on guitar is a 6-note (hexatonic) scale where every interval is a whole step (2 frets). All notes are 2 frets apart on any string. It creates a dreamy, floating, unresolved sound used in jazz, impressionist music, and film scores. Only 2 unique finger shapes exist for the whole guitar neck.
How many positions does the whole tone scale have?
The whole tone scale has only 2 unique shapes on guitar (compared to 5 for pentatonic). This is because the scale has 6 equal whole steps and only 2 transpositions before it repeats. Every note in the scale is part of one of two groups: Group A (C, D, E, F#, Ab, Bb) or Group B (Db, Eb, F, G, A, B).
What chords does the whole tone scale go over?
The whole tone scale works best over augmented chords (Caug), dominant 7#5 chords (C7#5), and augmented major 7th chords (Cmaj7#5). It creates tension over V7 chords before resolving. Avoid using it over minor chords or standard major chords as it will clash with the perfect 4th and 5th.
What is the whole tone scale used for in music?
The whole tone scale is used in jazz improvisation over augmented and dominant 7#5 chords, in impressionist classical music (Debussy, Ravel), in film scores for dreamlike or disorienting sequences, and in metal for tension-building passages. Its unresolved quality comes from the lack of perfect 4th and 5th intervals.