B♭ Whole Tone
Six whole-tone steps — symmetric. Debussy's signature colour; floats without resolving.
Playback sounds a major 2nd below the written notation — the instrument's concert (sounding) pitch.
Audio source: tonejs-instruments by Nick Brosowsky (MIT)
What notes are in the B♭ Whole Tone scale?
The B♭ Whole Tone scale uses the notes B♭, C, D, E, F♯, G♯ (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 B♭ to get the B♭ Whole Tone scale.
What chords work over B♭ 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 B♭ Whole Tone on Soprano Saxophone?
On saxophone, scales train fingering + the altissimo register. Practice the entire range — low Bb through high F (or higher with altissimo fingerings) — at each scale.
When would I use the Whole Tone scale?
Six whole-tone steps — symmetric. Debussy's signature colour; floats without resolving.