STRINGSCALES

E whole tone Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pick a root note

Pick a scale

E whole tone

The whole tone scale moves in nothing but whole steps, six notes with no half step anywhere and therefore no leading tone and no home. Debussy made its weightless blur famous, and it remains shorthand for dream sequences and augmented tension. There are only two whole tone collections in existence, so every fingering repeats every whole step up the neck. Use it over 7#5 chords, where every note lands.

it consists of these notes and degrees:

E

I

F♯

II

G♯

III

A♯

#IV

B♯

#V

C𝄪

#VI

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

tip
  • Everything moves in whole steps from E up, so use symmetrical fingerings: two notes per string, shift, repeat; one shape covers the whole neck.
  • Play it over an augmented triad or 7#5 chord in E; every scale tone is consonant with that harmony.
  • There are only two whole tone scales in existence; move any lick up two frets and it repeats exactly.
  • Use it in short bursts as a dream-sequence transition, then resolve to a diatonic scale; sustained whole tone loses its magic fast.

How to play E whole tone on guitar

Both E strings deliver the root open at the top and bottom of the guitar, so E whole tone is sounding before the fretting hand touches a string. Open D stays in the set as well, spelled C## in this five-sharp key. First position shift comes early, at fret 4. Whole-step spacing repeats each fingering 2 frets up, which lets the open-position box come back at fret 2 and keep going.

homeall scalesaboutfaqpricingmicrotonalterms & conditionsprivacy policycookie policy© 2026 StringScales. All rights reserved.