Quick Answer & Harmonic Definition

The E Whole Tone guitar scale contains 6 notes: E, F#, G#, A#, C, D. The step pattern is W–W–W–W–W–W (W = whole step = 2 semitones, H = half step = 1 semitone).

Guitar Scale

E Whole Tone Guitar Scale

Made entirely of whole steps. Creates an ambiguous, floating sound with no strong tonal center. Notes: E, F#, G#, A#, C, D. Step pattern: W–W–W–W–W–W.

Notes
E – F# – G# – A# – C – D
Step Pattern
W–W–W–W–W–W
Character
Dreamy, ambiguous

E Whole Tone Piano Keyboard Reference

5
C
C#
6
D
D#
1
E
F
2
F#
G
3
G#
A
4
A#
B

Each highlighted key shows its scale degree (1 = root). The same note set applies on the guitar fretboard — the layout above is shared for visual reference.

Playing the E Whole Tone Scale on Guitar

The E Whole Tone scale on guitar consists of 6 notes: E, F#, G#, A#, C, D. The step pattern is W–W–W–W–W–W, where W is a whole step (2 semitones) and H is a half step (1 semitone). On the guitar fretboard, the E Whole Tone scale is most commonly played using two-notes-per-string fingering across a single position, with the root E positioned on the 6th or 5th string.

Interval Structure of E Whole Tone

Degree Interval Semitones Note in E
1 Root (R) 0 E
2 Major 2nd 2 F#
3 Major 3rd 4 G#
4 Tritone 6 A#
5 Augmented 5th 8 C
6 Minor 7th 10 D

How to Practice E Whole Tone on Guitar

Start with a metronome at 60 BPM playing eighth notes ascending and descending. Use alternate picking (down-up). Focus on clean hammer-ons and pull-offs between scale tones. Increase the tempo by 5 BPM once each pass is clean. Practice in one fretboard position first, then expand across the neck using CAGED positions to cover the full range of the E Whole Tone scale.

Songs That Use the Whole Tone Scale

The Whole Tone scale appears in Impressionist classical, jazz, film scores. Guitar solos in the key of E major frequently draw from this scale. Improvising with the E Whole Tone scale over a E chord or progression will produce phrases that fit naturally in this musical context.

Other E Guitar Scales

E Major
Bright, happy
E Natural Minor
Sad, melancholic
E Harmonic Minor
Exotic, dramatic
E Melodic Minor
Smooth, jazzy
E Major Pentatonic
Bright, versatile
E Minor Pentatonic
Bluesy, soulful

Whole Tone Scale in All 12 Keys on Guitar

C Whole Tone C# Whole Tone D Whole Tone D# Whole Tone E Whole Tone F Whole Tone F# Whole Tone G Whole Tone G# Whole Tone A Whole Tone A# Whole Tone B Whole Tone
Virtual Guitar
Interactive fretboard
E Whole Tone General
Cross-instrument view
E Chord
Tonic chord
Metronome
Practice tool

Knowledge Base & FAQs

E Whole Tone Guitar Scale — FAQ

Everything you need to know about our browser-based Web Audio engine, instruments, and music theory workspace.

What notes are in the E Whole Tone guitar scale?

The E Whole Tone guitar scale contains 6 notes: E, F#, G#, A#, C, D.

The step pattern is W–W–W–W–W–W (W = whole step = 2 semitones, H = half step = 1 semitone).

How do I play the E Whole Tone scale on guitar?

To play the E Whole Tone scale on guitar, start from your root note E on the 6th or 5th string.

The scale fingering follows the W–W–W–W–W–W pattern. The most common position is two-notes-per-string which lets you cover the scale across one fretboard position.

What is the character of the Whole Tone scale on guitar?

The Whole Tone scale sounds dreamy, ambiguous.

Made entirely of whole steps. Creates an ambiguous, floating sound with no strong tonal center. It is most commonly used in Impressionist classical, jazz, film scores.

Is the E Whole Tone scale good for guitar solos?

Yes.

The E Whole Tone scale is a major-type scale and works well for improvisation when the backing chord or key matches. Use it over a E chord or any progression in the key of E major.

What is the difference between E Whole Tone and the E major scale?

The E Whole Tone scale uses a different interval pattern (W–W–W–W–W–W) than the E major scale (W-W-H-W-W-W-H).

This gives it a dreamy, ambiguous character versus the bright, happy sound of the major scale.

What guitar songs use the E Whole Tone scale?

The Whole Tone scale is common in Impressionist classical, jazz, film scores.

Any guitar solo in the key of E major draws primarily from this scale. Practice improvising along with backing tracks in the key of E.

How many fretboard positions are there for E Whole Tone on guitar?

The E Whole Tone scale can be played in 5 distinct CAGED positions on the guitar fretboard, plus two-notes-per-string and three-notes-per-string patterns spanning the entire neck.

Each position shifts the root E to a different fret on the 6th or 5th string.

Should I learn E Whole Tone in every key?

After mastering E Whole Tone in E, practice the same shape in all 12 keys.

The interval pattern remains identical — only the starting fret changes. The CAGED system makes it easier to transpose guitar scales across the neck.

What is the relative minor of E Whole Tone?

The relative minor of E Whole Tone is C# minor (Aeolian).

Both scales share the same notes but have a different tonal center.

How do I practice the E Whole Tone guitar scale with a metronome?

Start at 60 BPM, playing eighth notes ascending and descending.

Use alternate picking (down-up). Increase by 5 BPM once clean at each tempo. Practice with a drum loop or our free online metronome to maintain steady timing.