fuaranScale Mastery
SCALE · ON BASSOON

D Whole Tone

Six whole-tone steps — symmetric. Debussy's signature colour; floats without resolving.

MEIMIDIHumdrum
Choose a root
Meter:Octave per barCrotchets in 4/4Quavers in 4/4Triplets in 4/4
Engraved by Verovio 6.2.0-43f8060 4 title D Whole Tone Verovio
Tempo120 bpm

Audio source: tonejs-instruments by Nick Brosowsky (MIT)

FingeringFollows the scale as it plays — written pitch, matches the staff
DDDCCAAC♯C♯wwB♭B♭BBCCDDE♭E♭E♭E♭C♯C♯B♭B♭EEF♯F♯A♭A♭FFA♭A♭
Related scales
Same scale, other instruments
Same scale, other tonics
Modes built on this tonic
Compare with
Theory reference
Questions
What notes are in the D Whole Tone scale?

The D Whole Tone scale uses the notes D, E, F♯, G♯, A♯, B♯ (one octave; the pattern repeats at higher registers).

What's the Whole Tone scale formula?

The Whole Tone scale follows the interval pattern W W W W W W, where W = whole step (2 semitones) and H = half step (1 semitone). Apply that pattern starting on D to get the D Whole Tone scale.

What chords work over D Whole Tone?

Try chord pairings derived from the scale's third, fifth, and seventh degrees as roots — they share the most diatonic notes.

How do I finger D Whole Tone on Bassoon?

On double reeds, scales train reed control + register changes + the half-hole / full-hole register transition. Slow practice exposes pitch instability the player can correct with embouchure.

When would I use the Whole Tone scale?

Six whole-tone steps — symmetric. Debussy's signature colour; floats without resolving.