“A” whole tone scale type “B” whole tone scale … A#/Bb: A#, C, D, E, F#, G#, A# Download our free PDF versions of each scale with fingering. The pattern for a whole-tone scale is easy to remember because it consists only of whole-steps (W): “A” whole tone scale type “B” whole tone scale … Half-Whole Diminished Scale (Starts at 4:12) Next up, we've got the half-whole diminished scale (or H/W diminished for short)! Tones and Semitones in a Minor Scale. Two mutually exclusive whole-tone scales are formed by choosing alternate notes of the chromatic scale (which has 12 notes per octave).Thus, the whole-tone scale comprises six degrees per octave. In Western music, an octave is broken up into 12 tones called half steps, or semitones. C# to D# is a whole step. C-sharp Whole-tone scale . So whole tone scales aren’t something I practice, because most pieces I learn aren’t based on whole tone scales. Visit http://www.tjjazzpiano.com to view the sheet music to this lesson. Triads built on scale tones are augmented. In this lesson, we will only learn about the half and whole step intervals. Musical scores are temporarily disabled. It shares aspects with the Jewish eight-tone scales and is common in Jewish music. Home » Piano Theory » The Whole Tone Scale . A whole tone is the same as two steps on the keyboard – a half tone is consequently one step. If you start on C and play a whole tone scale you will play the scale on the top line of music. Here’s the pattern: W-W-W-W-W-W (or whole tone, whole tone, whole tone, whole tone, whole tone, whole tone). A: A, B, C#, D#, F, G, A Musical Scales – Major / Minor / Blues / Pentatonic / Chromatic And Whole Tone Scales May 31, 2016 Musical Scales A scale is a set of pitches (or a group of notes) that are arranged and played by increasing pitch (ascending) or decreasing pitch (descending) order. F#/Gb: F#, G#, A#, C, D, E, F# B Whole-Tone Scale. This lesson shows you how to improvise with whole tone notes and scales. This stands for whole step, whole step, half step, whole step, whole step, whole step half step. No wonder it is called “whole-tone scale”, right?! The scale is very different from the major and minor scales since it lacks the contrast created by the semi-tones in these scales. 5:06. The scale consists of six tones (the pictures show one octave including both the start and end note, the tonic). The harmonic spelling of the notes is not important. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Simply start with the name of the scale (also known as the root), followed by a whole step, whole step, half step, whole step, whole step, whole step, half step. This… However, if I was learning a whole tone piece, I might practice a whole tone scale to get a feel for it. The whole tone scale formula: W – W – W – W – W – W There are only 2 whole tone scales: C, D: C whole tone scale: C – D – E – F♯ – G♯ – A♯ D whole tone scale: D♭ – E♭ – F – G – A – B Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. These scales are based on regular, symmetric patterns. Fingering (RH): 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, Notes: D, E, F#, G#, A#, C, D Rapper Lil' Wayne has admitted he can't read, instead citing that his musical prowress comes naturally to him. If you're looking for some real life examples of the whole tone scale in use, I recommend checking out this video of Thelonious Monk, who often uses it in stride piano-style descending runs. The Whole Tone Scale (a.k.a. Musical Scales and Emotions There are many different types of musical scales. Two mutually exclusive whole-tone scales are formed by choosing alternate notes of the chromatic scale (which has 12 notes per octave).Thus, the whole-tone scale comprises six degrees per octave. Play . Fingering (LH): 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2 Scales 1 note away from C whole tone: Charts for C whole tone on Guitar and Piano All scales not 'normal' were excluded from the results, please use the options below to see C whole tone again with all the other scales compared to it A half step is the distance from one key to the key that is closest to it. This is a so-called symmetrical scale, meaning that the interval is the same throughout the scale. Here are the piano fingerings for this scale for 2 octaves. Whole-tone scale, all keys. The whole-tone scale has no leading tone and because all tones are the same … It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. There are only 2 possible whole note scale combinations: C, D, E, F♯/G♭, G♯/A♭, A♯/B♭. However, the whole tone scale has 6 notes that are all a whole step apart, making its intervallic formula easy to remember - W-W-W-W-W-W. We can simplify and summarize all 12 whole tone scales to just 2 scale types : “A” whole tone scale and “B” whole tone scale. C, D, E, F#, G#, Bb Here’s a blog post about playing pentatonics on guitar. Formula: Whole, Whole, Whole, Whole, Whole, Whole, contact | about | sitemap | policy The whole tone scale is a symmetric scale as well. There are really only two whole tone scales. So whole tone scales aren’t something I practice, because most pieces I learn aren’t based on whole tone scales. For instance, in the first example, instead of F# – G# – A#, you can write Gb – Ab – Bb. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Eight Tone Spanish Scales. The notes of the first one, WT0 is  C – D – E – F# – G# – A#, while the notes of the other scale are Db – Eb – F – G – A – B. On piano, a whole step always skips a key. In terms of harmony, this scale is limiting. Fingering (LH): 3, 2, 1, 4, 3, 2, 1 Minor scale with 2nd and 6th removed. Fingering (RH): 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4, Notes: G, A, B, C#, D#, F, G You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. In the first scale (Duane playing piano), notice we use three white keys, and then we use the set of three black keys. The Whole Tone Scale (a.k.a. So let’s get into the sound of whole tone … Since we haven't learned key signatures yet, we'll relate them to the key of C Major, which has no sharps or flats. Write a comment. Or sometimes just sharpening the 5th tone of the chord in place of the dominant 7 chord, we the raised 5th tone gives the piece of music an ethereal sound. Fingering (RH): 4, 1, 2, 1, 2, 3, 4, Notes: B, C#, D#, F, G, A, B Find one below. The whole tone scale’s repeating interval is the whole step; it’s comprised solely of whole steps. All rights reserved. Learn how to build other scales on piano. 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