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 2 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 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 E string at fret 0 and the D string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
| 3 (A) | 0, 1, 3 | A, A♯, B♯ |
| 2 (D) | 1, 2 | D♯, E |
| 1 (G) | 0, 2, 3 | G, A, A♯ |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
E whole-half in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 11 notes across 4 strings, from F♯ on the E string at fret 2 up to B♯ on the G string at fret 5. The root falls on the D string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 2, 3, 5 | F♯, G, A |
| 3 (A) | 3, 4 | B♯, C♯ |
| 2 (D) | 2, 4, 5 | E, F♯, G |
| 1 (G) | 2, 3, 5 | A, A♯, B♯ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
E whole-half in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 11 notes across 4 strings, from A on the E string at fret 5 up to D♯ on the G string at fret 8. The root falls on the A string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 5, 6, 8 | A, A♯, B♯ |
| 3 (A) | 6, 7 | D♯, E |
| 2 (D) | 5, 7, 8 | G, A, A♯ |
| 1 (G) | 5, 6, 8 | B♯, C♯, D♯ |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
E whole-half in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 11 notes across 4 strings, from B♯ on the E string at fret 8 up to F♯ on the G string at fret 11. The root falls on the G string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 8, 9, 11 | B♯, C♯, D♯ |
| 3 (A) | 9, 10 | F♯, G |
| 2 (D) | 8, 10, 11 | A♯, B♯, C♯ |
| 1 (G) | 8, 9, 11 | D♯, E, F♯ |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
E whole-half in box 5 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 11 notes across 4 strings, from D♯ 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 12 and the D string at fret 14.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 11, 12, 14 | D♯, E, F♯ |
| 3 (A) | 12, 13 | A, A♯ |
| 2 (D) | 11, 13, 14 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 1 (G) | 11, 12, 14 | F♯, G, 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, G 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 0–3, 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.
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, G 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.