fuaranScale Mastery
SCALE · ON SOPRANO SAXOPHONE

C 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 C Whole Tone
Engraved by Verovio 6.2.0-43f8060 2 3 4 5 title C Whole Tone
Verovio
Tempo120 bpm

Playback sounds a major 2nd below the written notation — the instrument's concert (sounding) pitch.

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

FingeringFollows the scale as it plays — written pitch, matches the staff
C8ve8vefFfFDDE♭E♭FFbisbisG♯G♯C♯C♯BBB♭B♭EECCB♭B♭F♯F♯E♭E♭CC
Related scales
Same scale, other instruments
Same scale, other tonics
Modes built on this tonic
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Theory reference
Questions
What notes are in the C Whole Tone scale?

The C Whole Tone scale uses the notes C, D, E, F♯, G♯, A♯ (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 C to get the C Whole Tone scale.

What chords work over C 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 C 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.