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A whole tone scale

The A whole tone scale is made of the notes A, B, C♯, D♯, E♯, G. It has 6 notes; compared with the major scale its formula is 1 2 3 ♯4 ♯5 ♭7.

Symmetric · 6 notes

Note names
  1. 1A
  2. 2B
  3. 3C♯
  4. ♯4D♯
  5. ♯5E♯
  6. ♭7G

PatternW – W – W – W – W – W(W = whole step, H = half step)

Built by repeating the same pattern of intervals over and over. Degrees are shown relative to the major scale: ♭3 is the third lowered by a half step, ♯4 the fourth raised.

Open in the scale finder

Mode and chords

Six notes, all a whole step apart: no half steps and no real tonic, so the sound stays floating and dreamy. There are only two whole-tone scales; Debussy used it often, and in jazz it goes over the 7♯5 chord.

Used overA7♯5Aaug

Put it into practice

The scale played in thirds over one octave: one of the exercises MEG generates from this scale.

This scale is not part of the demo: in the MEG app you will find it in every key, with 24 patterns.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the notes of the A whole tone scale?
The notes are A, B, C♯, D♯, E♯, G.
What is the pattern of the A whole tone scale?
The sequence of steps is W – W – W – W – W – W (W = whole step, H = half step); compared with the major scale the degrees are 1 2 3 ♯4 ♯5 ♭7.
Which chords is the A whole tone scale used over?
It is used over A7♯5, Aaug: the chords on the tonic made of the notes of the scale.

Texts and tools by , professional musician and developer. Last updated: October 9, 2026.