Explore scales · Bass
D whole-half scale on bass guitar
D whole-half contains D, E, F, G, G♯, A♯, B, C♯. Box 1 places the root on string 3, fret 5 for a compact diminished run.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 4, ♯4, ♯5, 6, 7
How do you play the D whole-half scale on bass?
D whole-half in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 11 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 D string at fret 0.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 0, 1, 3 | E, F, G |
| 3 (A) | 1, 2 | A♯, B |
| 2 (D) | 0, 2, 3 | D, E, F |
| 1 (G) | 0, 1, 3 | G, G♯, A♯ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
D whole-half in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 11 notes across 4 strings, from G on the E string at fret 3 up to C♯ on the G string at fret 6. The root falls on the A string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 3, 4, 6 | G, G♯, A♯ |
| 3 (A) | 4, 5 | C♯, D |
| 2 (D) | 3, 5, 6 | F, G, G♯ |
| 1 (G) | 3, 4, 6 | A♯, B, C♯ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
D whole-half in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 11 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 G string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 6, 7, 9 | A♯, B, C♯ |
| 3 (A) | 7, 8 | E, F |
| 2 (D) | 6, 8, 9 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 1 (G) | 6, 7, 9 | C♯, D, E |
Box 4 · frets 10–13
D whole-half in box 4 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 11 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 E string at fret 10 and the D string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 10, 12, 13 | D, E, F |
| 3 (A) | 10, 11, 13 | G, G♯, A♯ |
| 2 (D) | 11, 12 | C♯, D |
| 1 (G) | 10, 12, 13 | F, G, G♯ |
Why it sounds like that
D whole-half is an eight-note diminished scale built by alternating whole and half steps. It differs from D bebop melodic minor by raising the fifth to A♯ and adding G♯. The scale contains a tritone between D and G♯ and a leading tone C♯. Compare it with D bebop melodic minor.
When to use it
Use D whole-half over D diminished and D diminished 7th chords. It also fits E major, E minor, F diminished, and G major. The leading tone C♯ pulls strongly to D, making it effective in dominant contexts. For chord options, see D diminished and E major.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It keeps the root under your first finger and spans frets 0–3, ideal for learning the alternating step pattern.
Common questions
What notes are in D whole-half?
D whole-half contains D, E, F, G, G♯, A♯, B, C♯. The scale alternates whole and half steps from the root. It is an eight-note diminished scale.
Which chords does D whole-half fit?
D whole-half fits D diminished and D diminished 7th chords. It also works over E major, E minor, F diminished, and G major. The scale's leading tone C♯ resolves to D.
How is D whole-half different from D bebop melodic minor?
D whole-half raises the fifth to A♯ and adds G♯ compared to D bebop melodic minor. The bebop scale has a natural fifth A and no G♯. This gives the whole-half scale its diminished colour.