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D whole tone scale

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

Symmetric · 6 notes

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

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 overD7♯5Daug

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 D whole tone scale?
The notes are D, E, F♯, G♯, A♯, C.
What is the pattern of the D 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 D whole tone scale used over?
It is used over D7♯5, Daug: 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.