Explore scales · Bass
E♭ whole-half scale on bass guitar
E♭ whole-half contains E♭, F, G♭, A♭, A, B, C, D. Box 1 places the root on string 2, fret 1 for a compact diminished run.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 4, ♯4, ♯5, 6, 7
How do you play the E♭ whole-half scale on bass?
E♭ whole-half in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 11 notes across 4 strings, from F on the E string at fret 1 up to B on the G string at fret 4. The root falls on the D string at fret 1.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 1, 2, 4 | F, G♭, A♭ |
| 3 (A) | 2, 3 | B, C |
| 2 (D) | 1, 3, 4 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 1 (G) | 1, 2, 4 | A♭, A, B |
Box 2 · frets 4–7
E♭ whole-half in box 2 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 11 notes across 4 strings, from A♭ on the E string at fret 4 up to D on the G string at fret 7. The root falls on the A string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 4, 5, 7 | A♭, A, B |
| 3 (A) | 5, 6 | D, E♭ |
| 2 (D) | 4, 6, 7 | G♭, A♭, A |
| 1 (G) | 4, 5, 7 | B, C, D |
Box 3 · frets 7–10
E♭ whole-half in box 3 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 11 notes across 4 strings, from B on the E string at fret 7 up to F on the G string at fret 10. The root falls on the G string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 7, 8, 10 | B, C, D |
| 3 (A) | 8, 9 | F, G♭ |
| 2 (D) | 7, 9, 10 | A, B, C |
| 1 (G) | 7, 8, 10 | D, E♭, F |
Box 4 · frets 11–14
E♭ whole-half in box 4 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 11 notes across 4 strings, from E♭ on the E string at fret 11 up to A on the G string at fret 14. The root falls on the E string at fret 11 and the D string at fret 13.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 11, 13, 14 | E♭, F, G♭ |
| 3 (A) | 11, 12, 14 | A♭, A, B |
| 2 (D) | 12, 13 | D, E♭ |
| 1 (G) | 11, 13, 14 | G♭, A♭, A |
Why it sounds like that
E♭ whole-half is an eight-note diminished scale built by alternating whole and half steps. It differs from E♭ bebop melodic minor by raising the fifth to B and adding A. The scale contains a tritone between E♭ and A and a leading tone D. Compare it with E♭ bebop melodic minor.
When to use it
Use E♭ whole-half over E♭ diminished and E♭ diminished 7th chords. It also fits F major, F minor, F♯ diminished, and A♭ major. The leading tone D pulls strongly to E♭, making it effective in dominant contexts. For chord options, see E♭ diminished and F major.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It keeps the root under your first finger and spans frets 1–4, ideal for learning the alternating step pattern.
Common questions
What notes are in E♭ whole-half?
E♭ whole-half contains E♭, F, G♭, A♭, A, B, C, D. The scale alternates whole and half steps from the root. It is an eight-note diminished scale. It is also spelled D♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords does E♭ whole-half fit?
E♭ whole-half fits E♭ diminished and E♭ diminished 7th chords. It also works over F major, F minor, F♯ diminished, and A♭ major. The scale's leading tone D resolves to E♭.
How is E♭ whole-half different from E♭ bebop melodic minor?
E♭ whole-half raises the fifth to B and adds A compared to E♭ bebop melodic minor. The bebop scale has a natural fifth B♭ and no A. This gives the whole-half scale its diminished colour.