C whole scale on guitar

C whole contains C, D, E, F♯, G♯, A♯. Box 1 roots on string 5 fret 3, string 3 fret 5, and string 2 fret 1 offer an open-position-friendly grip.

Positions on the neck1 of 6

Practice C whole scale

How it is built

C1D2E3F♯♯4G♯♯5A♯♯6

Formula 1, 2, 3, ♯4, ♯5, ♯6

How do you play the C whole scale on guitar?

C whole in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 12 notes across 6 strings, from E on the low E string at fret 0 up to F♯ on the high e string at fret 2. 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)	0, 2	E, F♯
5 (A)	1, 3	A♯, C
4 (D)	0, 2	D, E
3 (G)	1, 3	G♯, A♯
2 (B)	1, 3	C, D
1 (e)	0, 2	E, F♯

Box 2 · frets 2–5

C whole in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 12 notes across 6 strings, from F♯ on the low E string at fret 2 up to G♯ on the high e string at fret 4. The root falls on the A string at fret 3 and the G string at fret 5.

Every note in this box, string by string

String	Frets	Notes
6 (E)	2, 4	F♯, G♯
5 (A)	3, 5	C, D
4 (D)	2, 4	E, F♯
3 (G)	3, 5	A♯, C
2 (B)	3, 5	D, E
1 (e)	2, 4	F♯, G♯

Box 3 · frets 4–7

C whole in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 12 notes across 6 strings, from G♯ on the low E string at fret 4 up to A♯ on the high e string at fret 6. The root falls on the G string at fret 5.

Every note in this box, string by string

String	Frets	Notes
6 (E)	4, 6	G♯, A♯
5 (A)	5, 7	D, E
4 (D)	4, 6	F♯, G♯
3 (G)	5, 7	C, D
2 (B)	5, 7	E, F♯
1 (e)	4, 6	G♯, A♯

Box 4 · frets 6–9

C whole in box 4 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 12 notes across 6 strings, from A♯ on the low E string at fret 6 up to C on the high e string at fret 8. The root falls on the low E string at fret 8 and the high e string at fret 8.

Every note in this box, string by string

String	Frets	Notes
6 (E)	6, 8	A♯, C
5 (A)	7, 9	E, F♯
4 (D)	6, 8	G♯, A♯
3 (G)	7, 9	D, E
2 (B)	7, 9	F♯, G♯
1 (e)	6, 8	A♯, C

Box 5 · frets 8–11

C whole in box 5 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 12 notes across 6 strings, from C on the low E string at fret 8 up to D on the high e string at fret 10. 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	C, D
5 (A)	9, 11	F♯, G♯
4 (D)	8, 10	A♯, C
3 (G)	9, 11	E, F♯
2 (B)	9, 11	G♯, A♯
1 (e)	8, 10	C, D

Box 6 · frets 10–13

C whole in box 6 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 12 notes across 6 strings, from D on the low E string at fret 10 up to E on the high e string at fret 12. 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, 12	D, E
5 (A)	11, 13	G♯, A♯
4 (D)	10, 12	C, D
3 (G)	11, 13	F♯, G♯
2 (B)	11, 13	A♯, C
1 (e)	10, 12	D, E

Why it sounds like that

C whole is built from six consecutive whole steps. Its intervals are 1, 2, 3, ♯4, ♯5, ♯6. The closest seven-note scale is C lydian augmented, which lowers the sixth to A and adds B.

When to use it

Play C whole over C 7th flat 5 or C 7th sharp 5 chords. It suits altered dominant sounds in jazz and fusion. The scale also works over D 7th flat 5 and D 7th sharp 5 for a whole-tone effect.

Which position to practise

Learn Box 1 first. It covers frets 0–3 and keeps the root on string 5 fret 3, making it easy to move to Box 2.

Common questions

What chords go with C whole?

C 7th flat 5 and C 7th sharp 5 are the main choices. The scale includes the root, third, and both altered fifths. Use it over dominant chords with ♭5 or ♯5.

Is C whole the same as C lydian augmented?

No. C lydian augmented has a major seventh and a ♯4, while C whole has a ♯5 and ♯6. The whole scale is six notes; lydian augmented is seven notes.

How do I practise C whole on guitar?

Start with Box 1 and play the notes ascending and descending. Use a metronome and keep the root on string 5 fret 3 as a reference. Then shift to Box 2.