STRINGSCALES

D leading whole tone Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

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

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

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

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

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

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

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D 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:

D

I+

Daug
E

II+

Eaug
F♯

III

F♯maj
G♯

#IV

G#maj♭5
A♯

#v°

A♯dim
B♯

#VI

D7no5/B♯
C♯

vii

C♯m

Same notes, different mode

D 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.

E lydian augmented dominantF# lydian dominant b6G# major locrianA# half-diminished b4B# altered dominant double b3C# neapolitan major

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

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

How to play D leading whole tone on guitar

Open D is the tonic here, and both E strings ring a major second above it, so a drone costs you no fingers. Fret 3 on the B string is the root nearest the nut; the lowest one is fret 10 on the low E. Harmony here offers #IV as G#Mb5, which means a flat-five voicing is already sitting in the key. Box one ends at fret 14.

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