{"id":26645,"date":"2022-06-01T11:04:32","date_gmt":"2022-06-01T09:04:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/edwinm29.sg-host.com\/?p=26645"},"modified":"2024-01-16T01:56:18","modified_gmt":"2024-01-16T00:56:18","slug":"the-whole-tone-scale","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/blog\/the-whole-tone-scale\/","title":{"rendered":"Dreaming with the whole tone scale"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_86 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #103133;color:#103133\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #103133;color:#103133\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/blog\/the-whole-tone-scale\/#What_is_the_whole_tone_scale\" >What is the whole tone scale?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/blog\/the-whole-tone-scale\/#How_to_build_the_whole_tone_scale\" >How to build the whole tone scale<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/blog\/the-whole-tone-scale\/#Why_are_there_only_two_whole_tone_scales\" >Why are there only two whole tone scales?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/blog\/the-whole-tone-scale\/#The_chords_of_the_whole_tone_scale\" >The chords of the whole tone scale<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/blog\/the-whole-tone-scale\/#Using_the_whole_tone_scale\" >Using the whole tone scale<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/blog\/the-whole-tone-scale\/#Famous_examples_of_whole_tone_scales\" >Famous examples of whole tone scales<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/blog\/the-whole-tone-scale\/#Summing_up_the_whole_tone_scale\" >Summing up the whole tone scale<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The whole tone scale is a surreal and enigmatic sound that often feels ambiguous and unanchored. The scale is perfect for creating dream-like passages and is commonly found in the work of Impressionistic composers like Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel. However, examples of the scale date back to the 17th century.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The whole tone scale offers an interesting palette of colors and textures to explore with a very distinctive sound that is quite different from the traditional diatonic scales. Learning to use these sounds will expand your ears and open your fingers to new and interesting sound worlds.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this article, we will learn the construction of the whole tone scale, explore the two variations of it, and learn the chords associated with it. When you are ready, dive in!<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-sheets-value=\"{&quot;1&quot;:2,&quot;2&quot;:&quot;&lt;div class=&quot;componentContainer&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;row&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;column&quot;&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;h2Notable&quot;&gt;Start your musical journey&lt;\/div&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Fall in love with the music -&lt;\/strong&gt; Learn your favorite songs, at a level suitable for you.&lt;\/span&gt;&lt;\/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Enjoy interactive piano lessons -&lt;\/strong&gt; Explore courses covering music theory, technique chords &amp; more.&lt;\/span&gt;&lt;\/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Get real-time feedback -&lt;\/strong&gt; Skoove&#039;s feedback tells you what went well and what needs practice.&lt;\/span&gt;&lt;\/li&gt;&lt;\/ul&gt;&lt;\/div&gt;&lt;div class=&quot;column&quot;&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/optimized\/iPhone15-1A-3-800.webp&quot; alt=&quot;&quot; width=&quot;1024&quot; height=&quot;846&quot; class=&quot;alignnone size-large&quot; \/&gt;&lt;\/div&gt;&lt;\/div&gt;&lt;small&gt;&lt;\/small&gt;&lt;a class=&quot;skooveButton skooveButtonWithin&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot; title=&quot;Book a trial lesson&quot; href=&quot;https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/auth\/register_promotion?coupon=7d-blog-npd&amp;utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=btf&amp;utm_campaign=7d-blog-npd&amp;t=Start%20a%207%20day%20free%20trial&amp;st=No%20credit%20card%20required!&quot; rel=&quot;noopener&quot;&gt;Book a trial lesson&lt;\/a&gt;&lt;small&gt;No credit card details required&lt;\/small&gt;&lt;\/div&gt;&quot;}\" data-sheets-userformat=\"{&quot;2&quot;:577,&quot;3&quot;:{&quot;1&quot;:0},&quot;9&quot;:1,&quot;12&quot;:0}\"><div class=\"componentContainer\"><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"column\"><div class=\"h2Notable\">Start your musical journey<\/div><ul><li><span><strong>Fall in love with the music -<\/strong> Learn your favorite songs, at a level suitable for you.<\/span><\/li><li><span><strong>Enjoy interactive piano lessons -<\/strong> Explore courses covering music theory, technique chords & more.<\/span><\/li><li><span><strong>Get real-time feedback -<\/strong> Skoove's feedback tells you what went well and what needs practice.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><\/div><div class=\"column\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/optimized\/iPhone15-1A-3-800.webp\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"846\" class=\"alignnone size-large\" \/><\/div><\/div><small><\/small><a class=\"skooveButton skooveButtonWithin\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Book a trial lesson\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/auth\/register_promotion?coupon=7d-blog-npd&utm_source=blog&utm_medium=btf&utm_campaign=7d-blog-npd&t=Start%20a%207%20day%20free%20trial&st=No%20credit%20card%20required!\" rel=\"noopener\">Book a trial lesson<\/a><small>No credit card details required<\/small><\/div><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_whole_tone_scale\"><\/span><strong>What is the whole tone scale?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The whole tone scale is quite literally a scale built in a series of whole steps. It is one of the most straightforward musical ideas. If you feel like you need some refreshment on basic scales and chords, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/en\">consider trying some online piano lessons.<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>How many notes are in a whole tone scale?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The whole tone scale consists of six notes and is therefore called a hexatonic scale. However, there are many possible six note <\/span><a href=\"\/blog\/piano-scales\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">piano scales<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, so musicians primarily refer to this set of pitches specifically as the whole tone scale.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The whole tone scale also consists of half the notes from <a href=\"\/blog\/how-much-do-you-know-about-the-chromatic-scale\/\">the chromatic scale<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_build_the_whole_tone_scale\"><\/span><strong>How to build the whole tone scale<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since the whole tone scale is built in in a series of whole steps, it is rather easy to construct, both visually on the piano and on paper. There are two variations on the whole tone scale. Let\u2019s walk through them both together.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>The C whole tone scale<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Starting from middle C, count up one whole step to D. One whole step above D is E. One whole step above E if F\u266f. One whole step above F\u266f is G\u266f. One whole step above G\u266f is A\u266f. One whole step above A\u266f returns us back to C, one octave higher than we began.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This means the C whole tone scale is spelled:<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>C &#8211; D &#8211; E &#8211; F<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u266f <\/span><b>&#8211; G<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u266f <\/span><b>&#8211; A<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u266f <\/span><b>&#8211; C<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not too complicated, right? Check it out notated for the piano below:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-26655\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/image5.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1991\" height=\"460\" srcset=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/image5.png 1991w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/image5-300x69.png 300w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/image5-1024x237.png 1024w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/image5-768x177.png 768w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/image5-1536x355.png 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1991px) 100vw, 1991px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Of course, we could also notate the scale with the sharp notes written as enharmonically equivalent flat notes like this:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-26647 size-large\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/image3-1024x237.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"237\" srcset=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/image3-1024x237.png 1024w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/image3-300x69.png 300w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/image3-768x177.png 768w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/image3-1536x355.png 1536w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/image3.png 1991w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><strong>The D\u266d whole tone scale<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The second variation on the whole tone scale begins on D\u266d. It follows the same pattern of a series of whole steps.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From D\u266d, skip up a whole step to E\u266d. One whole step above E\u266d is F. One whole step above F is G. One whole step above G is A. One whole step above A is B. And finally, one whole step above B is D\u266d.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This means the D\u266d whole tone scale is spelled:<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>D\u266d &#8211; E\u266d &#8211; F &#8211; G &#8211; A &#8211; B &#8211; D\u266d<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It looks like this notated on the piano:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-26663 size-full\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/image2.png\" alt=\"The D\u266d whole tone scale\" width=\"1991\" height=\"460\" srcset=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/image2.png 1991w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/image2-300x69.png 300w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/image2-1024x237.png 1024w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/image2-768x177.png 768w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/image2-1536x355.png 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1991px) 100vw, 1991px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you want to think in terms of <\/span><a href=\"\/blog\/scale-degrees-explained\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">scale degrees<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the formula for the whole tone scale would be:<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>1 &#8211; 2 &#8211; 3 &#8211; \u266f4\/\u266d5 &#8211; \u266f5\/\u266d6 &#8211; \u266f6\/\u266d7<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is some ambiguity in this situation. It is not common to see a sharp sixth scale degree. However, if you notate the pitch as A<\/span><b>\u266f, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">that is technically the sharp sixth of C. This is one instance where there is some malleability in music theory.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_are_there_only_two_whole_tone_scales\"><\/span><strong>Why are there only two whole tone scales?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The whole tone scale is a symmetrical scale. This means that you can start from any tone in the scale and the scale will consist of all of the same pitches.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Think about it for a minute. The C whole tone scale is spelled C &#8211; D &#8211; E &#8211; F\u266f &#8211; G\u266f &#8211; A\u266f &#8211; C. If we begin the scale from D, then the scale will be spelled D &#8211; E &#8211; F\u266f &#8211; G\u266f &#8211; A\u266f &#8211; C &#8211; D. While we have a different root, the pitches of the scale are exactly the same.\u00a0 This holds true if we begin from any of the six tones in the whole tone scale.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If we cover six pitches in one scale, then it is only logical that we cover the remaining six pitches in the second scale. The D\u266d whole tone scale is spelled D\u266d &#8211; E\u266d &#8211; F &#8211; G &#8211; A &#8211; B &#8211; D\u266d. If we start from E\u266d, the scale will be spelled E\u266d &#8211; F &#8211; G &#8211; A &#8211; B &#8211; D\u266d &#8211; E\u266d.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Compared to diatonic scales<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This differs from the concept of the modes in <\/span><a href=\"\/blog\/the-diatonic-scale\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the diatonic scales<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. For example, if we take the C major scale (C &#8211; D &#8211; E &#8211; F &#8211; G &#8211; A &#8211; B &#8211; C) and begin from D, we have the D Dorian mode (D &#8211; E &#8211; F &#8211; G &#8211; A &#8211; B &#8211; C). While this scale has the same tones as the C major scale, it has a completely different intervallic pattern, which gives the scale an entirely different character than the C major scale.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Likewise, the whole tone scale does not produce a definitive tonic to dominant cadence like the diatonic scales or <\/span><a href=\"\/blog\/the-harmonic-minor-scale\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">harmonic minor scales<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> do. Consequently, the root of the scale is malleable and more dependent on musical gesture and expression for resolution than a strict harmonic motion.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_chords_of_the_whole_tone_scale\"><\/span><strong>The chords of the whole tone scale<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another way to view the whole tone is scale is the combination of two augmented triads a whole step apart. Remember that the augmented triad is a three note chord built from two major thirds. So, the C whole tone scale is the combination of a C augmented triad (C &#8211; E &#8211; G\u266f) and a D augmented triad (D &#8211; F\u266f &#8211; A\u266f).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If we put these notes in alphabetical order from C, we find C &#8211; D &#8211; E &#8211; F\u266f &#8211; G\u266f &#8211; A\u266f, the notes of the C whole tone scale. Additionally, it is important to remember that augmented triads, like diminished triads from <a href=\"\/blog\/the-diminished-scale\/\">the diminished scale<\/a>, are symmetrical chords.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Triads of the whole tone scale<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let\u2019s use the process of stacking thirds to build <\/span><a href=\"\/blog\/piano-chords\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the piano chords<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the C whole tone scale. Remember, all you need to do is alternate every other note in the scale to build these chords. Check them out notated below:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-26679 size-full\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/image1.png\" alt=\"Triads of the whole tone scale\" width=\"1999\" height=\"1008\" srcset=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/image1.png 1832w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/image1-300x151.png 300w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/image1-1024x516.png 1024w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/image1-768x387.png 768w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/image1-1536x775.png 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1999px) 100vw, 1999px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Obviously, nobody likes to look at the spelling of F#, G#, or A# augmented. Double sharps are no fun to read. But, what can you discern about the nature of the scale from these triads?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most important thing to realize is that every triad built in this scale is an augmented triad. This makes sense because the scale is built from the combination of two augmented triads a half-step apart and augmented triads are symmetrical.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Using_the_whole_tone_scale\"><\/span><strong>Using the whole tone scale<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The whole tone scale is primarily used in improvisation over augmented triads and seventh chords. These chords happen primarily in jazz compositions, so if you are interested in learning about jazz music, then you should learn the whole tone scale.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here is an exercise you can practice to develop your facility for improvisation within the whole tone scale:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-26671\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/image4.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1999\" height=\"1008\" srcset=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/image4.png 1832w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/image4-300x151.png 300w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/image4-1024x516.png 1024w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/image4-768x387.png 768w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/image4-1536x775.png 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1999px) 100vw, 1999px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Famous_examples_of_whole_tone_scales\"><\/span><strong>Famous examples of whole tone scales<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are many great examples of whole tone scales found in music across genres. The classical music of Claude Debussy is full of examples of the whole tone scale. For example, his piece \u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Voiles<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d opens with a descending passage of thirds inside the whole tone scale.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"ast-oembed-container\"><iframe title=\"Debussy - Voiles\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/FVV0jkZC4jI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Stevie Wonder tune \u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You Are The Sunshine of My Life<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d features a classic example of the whole tone scale in the song\u2019s introduction.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"ast-oembed-container\"><iframe title=\"You Are The Sunshine of My Life - Stevie Wonder\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/641796526?dnt=1&amp;app_id=122963\" width=\"500\" height=\"231\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class='maxbutton-1-container mb-container'><a class=\"maxbutton-1 maxbutton maxbutton-christmas\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Go to the lesson\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/en\/auth\/register_promotion?coupon=7d-blog-npd\"><span class='mb-text'>Go to the lesson<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Numerous examples of the whole tone scale exist in jazz repertoire as well. Tenor saxophonist Wayne Shorter\u2019s composition \u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Juju<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d is a great example of the whole tone scale.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"ast-oembed-container\"><iframe title=\"Juju\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/yS0O5nfHmPM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Summing_up_the_whole_tone_scale\"><\/span><strong>Summing up the whole tone scale<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The whole tone scale is an intriguing and ethereal sound. It is a symmetrical scale constructed from a repeating pattern of whole steps. It is also the combination of two augmented triads a major second apart. The whole tone scale consists of six notes and all the triads built from those six notes form augmented chords. The scale basically consists of that one sound.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are interested in learning more about different scales and other music theory topics like chords and intervals, or are simply looking for a fun and effective way to learn piano, Skoove offers lessons for every interest. With over 400 lessons ranging from beginner to advanced and a growing online library of articles on a wide range of topics, Skoove will help you open new doors to the wide universe of music. Try it out today!<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"ast-oembed-container\"><iframe title=\"Skoove\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/479012867?dnt=1&amp;app_id=122963\" width=\"500\" height=\"231\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class='maxbutton-1-container mb-container'><a class=\"maxbutton-1 maxbutton maxbutton-christmas\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Start free trial\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/en\/promotions\/1m-blog-npd\"><span class='mb-text'>Start free trial<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Author of this blog post:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-6965 aligncenter\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Author-Box-Edward-1.png\" alt=\"Edward Bond\" width=\"212\" height=\"217\" \/><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Eddie Bond is a multi-instrumentalist performer, composer, and music instructor currently based in Seattle, Washington USA. He has performed extensively in the US, Canada, Argentina, and China, released over 40 albums, and has over a decade experience working with music students of all ages and ability levels.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The whole tone scale is a surreal and enigmatic sound that often feels ambiguous and unanchored. The scale is perfect for creating dream-like passages and is commonly found in the work of Impressionistic composers like Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel. However, examples of the scale date back to the 17th century.\u00a0 The whole tone scale &hellip;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"> <a class=\"\" href=\"\/blog\/the-whole-tone-scale\/\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Dreaming with the whole tone scale<\/span> Read More &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":44,"featured_media":26691,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_titles_title":"Dreaming with the whole tone scale","_seopress_titles_desc":"The whole tone scale is a six note scale built from a series of whole steps. Learn more about this scale including its construction and chords.\r\n\r\n","_seopress_robots_index":"","_seopress_robots_follow":"","_seopress_robots_imageindex":"","_seopress_robots_snippet":"","_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_robots_breadcrumbs":"","_seopress_robots_freeze_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_custom_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_canonical":"","_seopress_social_fb_title":"","_seopress_social_fb_desc":"","_seopress_social_fb_img":"","_seopress_social_fb_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_height":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_title":"","_seopress_social_twitter_desc":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_height":0,"_seopress_redirections_value":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled_regex":"","_seopress_redirections_logged_status":"both","_seopress_redirections_param":"","_seopress_redirections_type":301,"_seopress_analysis_target_kw":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[236],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-26645","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-piano-fundamentals"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26645","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/44"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26645"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26645\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/26691"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26645"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26645"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.skoove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26645"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}