About the G Whole Tone Scale
The G whole tone scale is a 6-note scale. All whole steps, dreamy and unresolved sound. Its notes are G, A, B, C#, D# and F, built from the formula 1 2 3 ♭5 ♭6 ♭7.
- Notes
- G – A – B – C# – D# – F
- Formula
- 1 2 3 ♭5 ♭6 ♭7
- Steps
- W W W W W W (2–2–2–2–2–2 semitones)
- Root
- G
G Whole Tone Scale degrees and intervals
| Degree | Note | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | G | Root |
| 2 | A | Major 2nd |
| 3 | B | Major 3rd |
| ♭5 | C# | Tritone (♭5) |
| ♭6 | D# | Minor 6th |
| ♭7 | F | Minor 7th |
Where to play the G Whole Tone Scale on 6-string bass
Frets 0–12 in standard tuning (B E A D G C), lowest string first. Root notes (G) are highlighted; the pattern repeats from the 12th fret up.
| String | Frets |
|---|---|
| B0 | 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 |
| E1 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 |
| A1 | 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 |
| D2 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 |
| G2 | 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 |
| C3 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 |
How to practice the whole tone scale
- Practice the even whole-step pattern
- Use over augmented and 7#5 chords
- Work on Debussy-inspired voicings
- Try creating tension before resolution
- Experiment with augmented triads within
Scales with the same notes as G Whole Tone Scale
These scales share every note with the G whole tone scale but start from a different root, so the same shapes work over different chords.
Whole Tone scale in other keys
Other scales in G
- G Minor Pentatonic
- G Major Pentatonic
- G Mixolydian Pentatonic
- G Natural Minor
- G Major (Ionian)
- G Blues
- G Dorian
- G Mixolydian
- G Phrygian
- G Harmonic Minor
- G Lydian
- G Locrian
- G Diminished (Half-Whole)
- G Diminished (Whole-Half)
- G Augmented (Hexatonic)
- G Altered (Super Locrian)
- G Phrygian Dominant
- G Lydian Dominant
- G Mixolydian ♭6 (Hindu)
- G Bebop Dominant
- G Quartal (Stacked 4ths)
- G Quartal Minor (Stacked 4ths)