Short Answer
Overview
The whole tone scale consists of six notes, each a whole step (major second) apart, forming a perfectly symmetrical pattern that divides the octave into equal parts. Because it lacks half steps, the scale has no leading tone, which gives it a floating, ambiguous quality that differs from traditional diatonic scales.
Two distinct whole‑tone collections exist in the twelve‑tone system, each offset by a semitone from the other. The scale can be notated using any starting pitch, but its intervallic consistency means that transposition merely swaps one whole‑tone collection for the other.
History / Origin
The term “whole tone” originates from the interval of a whole step, a concept that dates back to medieval music theory. The scale itself entered Western art‑music discourse in the late 19th century, most famously employed by Claude Debussy and later by Alexander Scriabin, who used it to evoke otherworldly atmospheres.
In the early 20th century, the whole tone scale became a staple of Impressionist composition, and by the 1940s it found a home in jazz, particularly in the improvisations of pianists such as Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane.
How It’s Used
In classical music, composers apply the whole tone scale to create harmonic ambiguity, often pairing it with augmented chords. In jazz, the scale is used over dominant seventh chords with altered extensions (e.g., 13♯11) to produce “outside” sounds. It also appears in film scores to suggest mystery or the supernatural.
Notation of the whole tone scale can be written as a succession of whole steps (e.g., C–D–E–F♯–G♯–A♯) or indicated by the term “whole‑tone” in the part. Instruments that can easily execute equal whole‑step patterns, such as piano, guitar, and vibraphone, are especially suited for its performance.
Why It Matters
The scale’s symmetry makes it a valuable tool for composers seeking to break free from tonal expectations. Its distinctive sound is instantly recognizable in pieces like Debussy’s “Voiles,” the opening of Ravel’s “Jeux d’eau,” and the jazz standard “Four” as interpreted by Miles Davis.
For listeners, the whole tone scale often conveys a sense of suspension, dreaminess, or the uncanny, contributing to the emotional palette of modern music across genres.
Common Misconceptions
The whole tone scale is the same as the chromatic scale.
The chromatic scale includes every semitone, while the whole tone scale contains only whole‑step intervals, resulting in half the number of notes.
Using the whole tone scale always sounds “out of tune.”
The scale is intentionally ambiguous; when used purposefully, it creates a distinct colour rather than a tuning error.
There are many whole‑tone scales.
In twelve‑tone equal temperament there are exactly two distinct whole‑tone collections, each a semitone apart.
FAQ
How many whole tone scales exist in Western equal temperament?
There are exactly two distinct whole tone collections, each offset by a semitone from the other.
Can the whole tone scale be used in minor keys?
Yes; because the scale is non‑diatonic, it can be superimposed over any harmonic context, though it is most common over dominant or augmented chords.
What is the difference between the whole tone scale and the augmented scale?
The whole tone scale contains only whole steps, while the augmented (or diminished‑whole‑tone) scale combines whole and half steps in a specific pattern, resulting in eight notes instead of six.
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