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G leading whole tone Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

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

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

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

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

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

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

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G 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:

G

I+

Gaug
A

II+

Aaug
B

III

Bmaj
C♯

#IV

C#maj♭5
D♯

#v°

D♯dim
E♯

#VI

G7no5/E♯
F♯

vii

F♯m

Same notes, different mode

G 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.

A lydian augmented dominantB lydian dominant b6C# major locrianD# half-diminished b4E# altered dominant double b3F# neapolitan major

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

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

How to play G leading whole tone on guitar

Open G is a root and open A and B come in as a major second and major third, so a three-string drone sits under the key untouched. Lowest root is fret 3 on the low E, with the A-shape barre waiting at fret 10. Chord #VI shows up as G7no5/E#, which means the dominant colour arrives without a fifth in it. First box gives out at fret 7.

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