Explore scales · Guitar
A whole-half scale on guitar
A whole-half scale contains A, B, C, D, D♯, E♯, F♯, and G♯. Box 1 keeps the root on the sixth string at fret 5 for a compact start.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 4, ♯4, ♯5, 6, 7
How do you play the A whole-half scale on guitar?
A whole-half in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 17 notes across 6 strings, from E♯ on the low E string at fret 1 up to G♯ on the high e string at fret 4. The root falls on the G string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 1, 2, 4 | E♯, F♯, G♯ |
| 5 (A) | 2, 3 | B, C |
| 4 (D) | 1, 3, 4 | D♯, E♯, F♯ |
| 3 (G) | 1, 2, 4 | G♯, A, B |
| 2 (B) | 1, 3, 4 | C, D, D♯ |
| 1 (e) | 1, 2, 4 | E♯, F♯, G♯ |
Box 2 · frets 5–8
A whole-half in box 2 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 16 notes across 6 strings, from A on the low E string at fret 5 up to C on the high e string at fret 8. The root falls on the low E string at fret 5, the D string at fret 7 and the high e string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5, 7, 8 | A, B, C |
| 5 (A) | 5, 6, 8 | D, D♯, E♯ |
| 4 (D) | 6, 7 | G♯, A |
| 3 (G) | 5, 7, 8 | C, D, D♯ |
| 2 (B) | 6, 7 | E♯, F♯ |
| 1 (e) | 5, 7, 8 | A, B, C |
Box 3 · frets 7–10
A whole-half in box 3 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 17 notes across 6 strings, from B on the low E string at fret 7 up to D on the high e string at fret 10. The root falls on the D string at fret 7 and the B string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7, 8, 10 | B, C, D |
| 5 (A) | 8, 9 | E♯, F♯ |
| 4 (D) | 7, 9, 10 | A, B, C |
| 3 (G) | 7, 8, 10 | D, D♯, E♯ |
| 2 (B) | 7, 9, 10 | F♯, G♯, A |
| 1 (e) | 7, 8, 10 | B, C, D |
Box 4 · frets 10–13
A whole-half in box 4 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 17 notes across 6 strings, from D on the low E string at fret 10 up to E♯ on the high e string at fret 13. The root falls on the A string at fret 12 and the B string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 10, 11, 13 | D, D♯, E♯ |
| 5 (A) | 11, 12 | G♯, A |
| 4 (D) | 10, 12, 13 | C, D, D♯ |
| 3 (G) | 10, 11, 13 | E♯, F♯, G♯ |
| 2 (B) | 10, 12, 13 | A, B, C |
| 1 (e) | 10, 11, 13 | D, D♯, E♯ |
Why it sounds like that
A whole-half alternates whole and half steps from A: W-H-W-H-W-H-W-H. It shares six notes with A bebop melodic minor, differing only in the fifth degree. The scale includes a tritone and a leading tone, giving it strong tension.
When to use it
A whole-half fits diminished chords like A diminished and A diminished 7th. It also works over B major or B minor progressions. Use it for dark, tense lines in jazz or metal.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first: the root sits on string 6, fret 5, and the range 1–5 keeps the stretch manageable. It sets up Box 2 by moving the root to string 4, fret 7.
Common questions
What notes are in A whole-half?
A whole-half scale contains A, B, C, D, D♯, E♯, F♯, and G♯. The pattern alternates whole and half steps. It is also called A diminished scale.
Which chords fit A whole-half?
A whole-half works over A diminished and A diminished 7th chords. It also fits B major and B minor chords. The scale's tritone and leading tone create strong resolution.
How does A whole-half differ from A bebop melodic minor?
A whole-half and A bebop melodic minor share six notes. The whole-half scale has D♯ and E♯ instead of E and F. This changes the fifth degree and adds a tritone.