fuaranScale Mastery
SCALE · ON VIOLA

B♭ Whole Tone

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

MEIMIDIHumdrum
Choose a root
CC♯D♭DD♯E♭EFF♯G♭GG♯A♭AA♯B♭B
Meter:Octave per barCrotchets in 4/4Quavers in 4/4Triplets in 4/4
Engraved by Verovio 6.2.0-43f8060 title B♭ Whole Tone
Engraved by Verovio 6.2.0-43f8060 2 3 title B♭ Whole Tone
Verovio
Tempo120 bpm

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

FingeringFollows the scale as it plays — written pitch, matches the staff
B♭G stringADGCoctave nodeoctave nodeoctave nodeoctave nodeB♭CDEF♯G♯B♭CDEF♯G♯B♭CDEG♯B♭CDEF♯G♯B♭CDEF♯G♯B♭CD
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 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 Viola?

On bowed strings, scales train both fingering and bow technique. First-position fingerings cover most scales up to one octave; second-, third-, and fourth-position shifts unlock the higher register. The 1-2-3-4 finger pattern adapts to the half-step + whole-step positions per scale.

When would I use the Whole Tone scale?

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