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