STRINGSCALES

A leading whole tone Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: E#, F##, G#, A, B, C#, D# at frets 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11

A string: A, B, C#, D#, E#, F##, G#, A at frets 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12

D string: D#, E#, F##, G#, A, B, C# at frets 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11

G string: F##, G#, A, B, C#, D#, E#, F## at frets 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12

B string: B, C#, D#, E#, F##, G#, A, B at frets 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12

High E string: E#, F##, G#, A, B, C#, D# at frets 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11

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A leading whole tone

The leading whole tone scale, the second mode of the neapolitan major scale, is a whole tone scale with a major 7th bolted on. Five whole steps float exactly as expected, then the leading tone suddenly offers a way home. That built-in escape hatch makes it more usable than the pure whole tone scale in tonal contexts.

it consists of these notes and degrees:

A

I+

Aaug
B

II+

Baug
C♯

III

C♯maj
D♯

#IV

D#maj♭5
E♯

#v°

E♯dim
F𝄪

#VI

A7no5/F𝄪
G♯

vii

G♯m

Same notes, different mode

A leading whole tone uses the same notes as the scales below. Start from a different note and you get a new mode built on the very same note set.

B lydian augmented dominantC# lydian dominant b6D# major locrianE# half-diminished b4G altered dominant double b3G# neapolitan major

leading whole tone in all 12 keys, with chords and related scales

tip
  • Float through the whole tone bottom (root to #V (F) in whole steps), then use the major 7th (G#) as the escape hatch to the root.
  • Over an augmented chord resolving to a major chord, this scale scripts the resolution: dreamy first, decisive at the end.
  • Delay the VII: the longer the whole tone blur lasts, the stronger the leading tone lands.
  • It is the second mode of neapolitan major; the same notes a whole step below A give the neapolitan major scale.

How to play A leading whole tone on guitar

Tonic sits on the open A string, and open B adds a major second, so the pair rings as a built-in pedal. Open G gives F## as an augmented sixth, which means even the odd spelling is a free note. Roots run from fret 0 on the A string up to fret 10 on the B. Barre the E shape at fret 5.

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