Explore scales · Bass
G whole-half scale on bass guitar
G whole-half contains G, A, B♭, C, C♯, D♯, E, F♯. Box 1 places the root on string 4, fret 3 for a compact diminished run.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 4, ♯4, ♯5, 6, 7
How do you play the G whole-half scale on bass?
G 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 B♭ on the G string at fret 3. The root falls on the E string at fret 3 and the G string at fret 0.
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, B♭, C |
| 2 (D) | 1, 2 | D♯, E |
| 1 (G) | 0, 2, 3 | G, A, B♭ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
G 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 E string at fret 3 and the D string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 3, 5, 6 | G, A, B♭ |
| 3 (A) | 3, 4, 6 | C, C♯, D♯ |
| 2 (D) | 4, 5 | F♯, G |
| 1 (G) | 3, 5, 6 | B♭, C, C♯ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
G 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 D string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 5, 6, 8 | A, B♭, C |
| 3 (A) | 6, 7 | D♯, E |
| 2 (D) | 5, 7, 8 | G, A, B♭ |
| 1 (G) | 5, 6, 8 | C, C♯, D♯ |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
G whole-half in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 11 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 A string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 8, 9, 11 | C, C♯, D♯ |
| 3 (A) | 9, 10 | F♯, G |
| 2 (D) | 8, 10, 11 | B♭, C, C♯ |
| 1 (G) | 8, 9, 11 | D♯, E, F♯ |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
G 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 G string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 11, 12, 14 | D♯, E, F♯ |
| 3 (A) | 12, 13 | A, B♭ |
| 2 (D) | 11, 13, 14 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 1 (G) | 11, 12, 14 | F♯, G, A |
Why it sounds like that
G whole-half is an eight-note diminished scale built by alternating whole and half steps. It differs from G bebop melodic minor by raising the fifth to D♯ and adding C♯. The scale contains a tritone between G and C♯ and a leading tone F♯. Compare it with G bebop melodic minor.
When to use it
Use G whole-half over G diminished and G diminished 7th chords. It also fits A major, A minor, B♭ diminished, and C major. The leading tone F♯ pulls strongly to G, making it effective in dominant contexts. For chord options, see G diminished and A 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 G whole-half?
G whole-half contains G, A, B♭, C, C♯, D♯, E, F♯. The scale alternates whole and half steps from the root. It is an eight-note diminished scale.
Which chords does G whole-half fit?
G whole-half fits G diminished and G diminished 7th chords. It also works over A major, A minor, B♭ diminished, and C major. The scale's leading tone F♯ resolves to G.
How is G whole-half different from G bebop melodic minor?
G whole-half raises the fifth to D♯ and adds C♯ compared to G bebop melodic minor. The bebop scale has a natural fifth D and no C♯. This gives the whole-half scale its diminished colour.