Explore scales · Bass
C whole scale on bass guitar
C whole scale contains C, D, E, F♯, G♯, and A♯. Box 1 places the root on string 3, fret 3 for an easy mid-neck start.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, ♯4, ♯5, ♯6
How do you play the C whole scale on bass?
C whole in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 8 notes across 4 strings, from E on the E string at fret 0 up to A♯ on the G string at fret 3. The root falls on the A string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
| 3 (A) | 1, 3 | A♯, C |
| 2 (D) | 0, 2 | D, E |
| 1 (G) | 1, 3 | G♯, A♯ |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
C whole in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 8 notes across 4 strings, from F♯ on the E string at fret 2 up to C on the G string at fret 5. The root falls on the A string at fret 3 and the G string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 2, 4 | F♯, G♯ |
| 3 (A) | 3, 5 | C, D |
| 2 (D) | 2, 4 | E, F♯ |
| 1 (G) | 3, 5 | A♯, C |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
C whole in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 8 notes across 4 strings, from G♯ on the E string at fret 4 up to D on the G string at fret 7. The root falls on the G string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 4, 6 | G♯, A♯ |
| 3 (A) | 5, 7 | D, E |
| 2 (D) | 4, 6 | F♯, G♯ |
| 1 (G) | 5, 7 | C, D |
Box 4 · frets 6–9
C whole in box 4 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 8 notes across 4 strings, from A♯ on the E string at fret 6 up to E on the G string at fret 9. The root falls on the E string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 6, 8 | A♯, C |
| 3 (A) | 7, 9 | E, F♯ |
| 2 (D) | 6, 8 | G♯, A♯ |
| 1 (G) | 7, 9 | D, E |
Box 5 · frets 8–11
C whole in box 5 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 8 notes across 4 strings, from C on the E string at fret 8 up to F♯ on the G string at fret 11. The root falls on the E string at fret 8 and the D string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 8, 10 | C, D |
| 3 (A) | 9, 11 | F♯, G♯ |
| 2 (D) | 8, 10 | A♯, C |
| 1 (G) | 9, 11 | E, F♯ |
Box 6 · frets 10–13
C whole in box 6 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 8 notes across 4 strings, from D on the E string at fret 10 up to G♯ on the G string at fret 13. The root falls on the D string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 10, 12 | D, E |
| 3 (A) | 11, 13 | G♯, A♯ |
| 2 (D) | 10, 12 | C, D |
| 1 (G) | 11, 13 | F♯, G♯ |
Why it sounds like that
C whole scale is built by stacking whole steps from C, giving the intervals 1, 2, 3, ♯4, ♯5, ♯6. The ♯6 is a minor 7th above the root, and the ♯4 creates a tritone. Compare it with C lydian augmented, which lowers the ♯6 to a major 6th and adds a major 7th.
When to use it
C whole scale fits C 7th flat 5 and C 7th sharp 5 chords. Use it over dominant chords in jazz and fusion when you want an altered, symmetrical colour. It also works over D 7th flat 5 and E 7th sharp 5.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first: the root sits on string 3, fret 3, and the pattern stays within frets 0–3. This box builds left-hand familiarity with the whole-step stretch.
Common questions
What notes are in the C whole scale?
C whole scale contains C, D, E, F♯, G♯, and A♯. The intervals are root, major 2nd, major 3rd, ♯4, ♯5, and minor 7th. It has six notes, all separated by whole steps.
Which chords does C whole scale fit?
C whole scale fits C 7th flat 5 and C 7th sharp 5 chords. It also works over D 7th flat 5 and E 7th sharp 5. Use it when the chord contains an altered fifth.
How does C whole scale differ from C lydian augmented?
C whole scale has a minor 7th, while C lydian augmented has a major 7th. C lydian augmented also includes a major 6th instead of the ♯6. Both scales share the ♯4 and ♯5.