STRINGSCALES

E 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, 10, 11, 12

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

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

G string: G#, A#, B#, C##, D#, E, F# at frets 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11

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

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

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E 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:

E

I+

Eaug
F♯

II+

F♯aug
G♯

III

G♯maj
A♯

#IV

A#maj♭5
B♯

#v°

B♯dim
C𝄪

#VI

E7no5/C𝄪
D♯

vii

D♯m

Same notes, different mode

E 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.

F# lydian augmented dominantG# lydian dominant b6A# major locrianB# half-diminished b4D altered dominant double b3D# neapolitan major

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

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

How to play E leading whole tone on guitar

Both open E strings are roots, and the open D string gives C## as an augmented sixth, so open position already holds the tonic without a barre. Lowest root is fret 0, which means the first box starts at the nut and gives out at fret 4. Barre players get the E shape at fret 12 and the A shape at fret 7. Chord #v° lands as B#dim.

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