Explore scales · Guitar
B whole-half scale on guitar
B whole-half scale contains B, C♯, D, E, E♯, F♯♯, G♯, and A♯. Box 1 places the root on string 5, fret 2 for a mid-neck start.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 4, ♯4, ♯5, 6, 7
How do you play the B whole-half scale on guitar?
B whole-half in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 17 notes across 6 strings, from E on the low E string at fret 0 up to F♯♯ on the high e string at fret 3. The root falls on the A string at fret 2 and the B string at fret 0.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 1, 3 | E, E♯, F♯♯ |
| 5 (A) | 1, 2 | A♯, B |
| 4 (D) | 0, 2, 3 | D, E, E♯ |
| 3 (G) | 0, 1, 3 | F♯♯, G♯, A♯ |
| 2 (B) | 0, 2, 3 | B, C♯, D |
| 1 (e) | 0, 1, 3 | E, E♯, F♯♯ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
B whole-half in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 17 notes across 6 strings, from F♯♯ on the low E string at fret 3 up to A♯ on the high e string at fret 6. The root falls on the G string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3, 4, 6 | F♯♯, G♯, A♯ |
| 5 (A) | 4, 5 | C♯, D |
| 4 (D) | 3, 5, 6 | E♯, F♯♯, G♯ |
| 3 (G) | 3, 4, 6 | A♯, B, C♯ |
| 2 (B) | 3, 5, 6 | D, E, E♯ |
| 1 (e) | 3, 4, 6 | F♯♯, G♯, A♯ |
Box 3 · frets 7–10
B whole-half in box 3 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 16 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 low E string at fret 7, the D string at fret 9 and the high e string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7, 9, 10 | B, C♯, D |
| 5 (A) | 7, 8, 10 | E, E♯, F♯♯ |
| 4 (D) | 8, 9 | A♯, B |
| 3 (G) | 7, 9, 10 | D, E, E♯ |
| 2 (B) | 8, 9 | F♯♯, G♯ |
| 1 (e) | 7, 9, 10 | B, C♯, D |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
B whole-half in box 4 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 17 notes across 6 strings, from C♯ on the low E string at fret 9 up to E on the high e string at fret 12. The root falls on the D string at fret 9 and the B string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 9, 10, 12 | C♯, D, E |
| 5 (A) | 10, 11 | F♯♯, G♯ |
| 4 (D) | 9, 11, 12 | B, C♯, D |
| 3 (G) | 9, 10, 12 | E, E♯, F♯♯ |
| 2 (B) | 9, 11, 12 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 1 (e) | 9, 10, 12 | C♯, D, E |
Why it sounds like that
B whole-half alternates whole and half steps from B: W-H-W-H-W-H-W-H. It shares six notes with B 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
B whole-half fits diminished chords like B diminished and B diminished 7th. It also works over C♯ major or C♯ 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 5, fret 2, and the range 1–5 keeps the stretch manageable. It sets up Box 2 by moving the root to string 6, fret 7.
Common questions
What notes are in B whole-half?
B whole-half scale contains B, C♯, D, E, E♯, F♯♯, G♯, and A♯. The pattern alternates whole and half steps. It is also called B diminished scale.
Which chords fit B whole-half?
B whole-half works over B diminished and B diminished 7th chords. It also fits C♯ major and C♯ minor chords. The scale's tritone and leading tone create strong resolution.
How does B whole-half differ from B bebop melodic minor?
B whole-half and B bebop melodic minor share six notes. The whole-half scale has E♯ and F♯♯ instead of F♯ and G. This changes the fifth degree and adds a tritone.