Explore scales · Guitar
A whole scale on guitar
A whole contains A, B, C♯, D♯, E♯, F♯♯. Box 1 roots on string 6 fret 5, string 3 fret 2, and string 1 fret 5 give a compact five-fret grip.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, ♯4, ♯5, ♯6
How do you play the A whole scale on guitar?
A whole in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 12 notes across 6 strings, from E♯ on the low E string at fret 1 up to F♯♯ on the high e string at fret 3. The root falls on the G string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 1, 3 | E♯, F♯♯ |
| 5 (A) | 2, 4 | B, C♯ |
| 4 (D) | 1, 3 | D♯, E♯ |
| 3 (G) | 2, 4 | A, B |
| 2 (B) | 2, 4 | C♯, D♯ |
| 1 (e) | 1, 3 | E♯, F♯♯ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
A whole in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 12 notes across 6 strings, from F♯♯ on the low E string at fret 3 up to A on the high e string at fret 5. The root falls on the low E string at fret 5 and the high e string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3, 5 | F♯♯, A |
| 5 (A) | 4, 6 | C♯, D♯ |
| 4 (D) | 3, 5 | E♯, F♯♯ |
| 3 (G) | 4, 6 | B, C♯ |
| 2 (B) | 4, 6 | D♯, E♯ |
| 1 (e) | 3, 5 | F♯♯, A |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
A whole in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 12 notes across 6 strings, from A on the low E string at fret 5 up to B on the high e string at fret 7. 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 | A, B |
| 5 (A) | 6, 8 | D♯, E♯ |
| 4 (D) | 5, 7 | F♯♯, A |
| 3 (G) | 6, 8 | C♯, D♯ |
| 2 (B) | 6, 8 | E♯, F♯♯ |
| 1 (e) | 5, 7 | A, B |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
A whole in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 12 notes across 6 strings, from B on the low E string at fret 7 up to C♯ on the high e string at fret 9. 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, 9 | B, C♯ |
| 5 (A) | 8, 10 | E♯, F♯♯ |
| 4 (D) | 7, 9 | A, B |
| 3 (G) | 8, 10 | D♯, E♯ |
| 2 (B) | 8, 10 | F♯♯, A |
| 1 (e) | 7, 9 | B, C♯ |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
A whole in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 12 notes across 6 strings, from C♯ on the low E string at fret 9 up to D♯ on the high e string at fret 11. 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) | 9, 11 | C♯, D♯ |
| 5 (A) | 10, 12 | F♯♯, A |
| 4 (D) | 9, 11 | B, C♯ |
| 3 (G) | 10, 12 | E♯, F♯♯ |
| 2 (B) | 10, 12 | A, B |
| 1 (e) | 9, 11 | C♯, D♯ |
Box 6 · frets 11–14
A whole in box 6 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 12 notes across 6 strings, from D♯ on the low E string at fret 11 up to E♯ on the high e string at fret 13. The root falls on the A string at fret 12 and the G string at fret 14.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 11, 13 | D♯, E♯ |
| 5 (A) | 12, 14 | A, B |
| 4 (D) | 11, 13 | C♯, D♯ |
| 3 (G) | 12, 14 | F♯♯, A |
| 2 (B) | 12, 14 | B, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 11, 13 | D♯, E♯ |
Why it sounds like that
Build A whole by stacking six whole steps from A. It is a six-note symmetrical scale with intervals 1, 2, 3, ♯4, ♯5, ♯6. Compare it with A lydian augmented, which lowers the sixth degree to F♯ and adds G♯.
When to use it
Use A whole over A 7th flat 5 or A 7th sharp 5 chords. It fits dominant chords with altered fifths in jazz and fusion. The scale also works over B 7th flat 5 and B 7th sharp 5 when you want a whole-tone color.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It keeps the root on string 6 fret 5 and covers frets 1–4, setting up easy movement to Box 2.
Common questions
Which chords fit A whole?
A 7th flat 5 and A 7th sharp 5 are the primary fits. The scale contains the root, third, and both altered fifths. Use it over dominant chords with a ♭5 or ♯5.
Is A whole the same as A lydian augmented?
No. A lydian augmented has a major seventh and a ♯4, while A whole has a ♯5 and ♯6. The whole scale is six notes; lydian augmented is seven notes.
How do I practise A whole on guitar?
Start with Box 1 and play the notes ascending and descending. Use a metronome and keep the root on string 6 fret 5 as a reference. Then shift to Box 2.