What Is the Whole Tone Scale?
The whole tone scale is one of the most distinctive and exotic-sounding scales in Western music. It has a unique, dreamlike quality that makes it stand out in classical, jazz, and rock. Unlike most common scales, it’s built entirely from whole steps, which gives it a symmetrical, open-ended feel.
You’ll hear it in:
- Classical music from composers like Debussy and Ravel.
- Modern jazz—it’s a key ingredient in the sounds of Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane.
- Rock music—check out Sting’s version of Little Wing (originally by Jimi Hendrix). The first scale you hear in that track is a whole tone scale!
Why Should You Learn It?
For improvisers, the whole tone scale is a powerful tool because:
✅ It has only six notes, making it easy to memorise.
✅ It creates a floating, unresolved sound that adds colour to solos.
✅ It works great over dominant chords (especially altered or augmented 7ths).
Understanding the Whole Tone Scale
One simple way to think about it:
🎷 Take the first three notes of two major scales a tritone apart—that’s your whole tone scale!
Don’t worry if this sounds confusing now. Watch the video and hear it in action!
