STRINGSCALES

C leading whole tone Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: E, F#, G#, A#, B, C, D, E at frets 0, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12

A string: A#, B, C, D, E, F#, G# at frets 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11

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

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

B string: B, C, D, E, F#, G#, A#, B at frets 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12

High E string: E, F#, G#, A#, B, C, D, E at frets 0, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12

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C 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:

C

I+

Caug
D

II+

Daug
E

III

Emaj
F♯

#IV

F#maj♭5
G♯

#v°

G♯dim
A♯

#VI

C7no5/A♯
B

vii

Bm

Same notes, different mode

C 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.

D lydian augmented dominantE lydian dominant b6F# major locrianG# half-diminished b4A# altered dominant double b3B neapolitan major

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

tip
  • Float through the whole tone bottom (root to #V (G#) in whole steps), then use the major 7th (B) 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 C give the neapolitan major scale.

How to play C leading whole tone on guitar

Four open strings land in this key: both E strings as a major third, open D as a major second, open B as a major seventh. Fret 1 on the B string puts a root nearest the nut, while the lowest root waits at fret 8 on the low E, so you can start a phrase high and drop into the box below it. Diatonic harmony hands you III as EM, which means one plain major triad sits among the augmented ones. Box one closes at fret 12.

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