Explore scales · Guitar
D whole-half scale on guitar
D whole-half scale contains D, E, F, G, G♯, A♯, B, and C♯. Box 1 places the root on string 5, fret 5 for a mid-neck start.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 4, ♯4, ♯5, 6, 7
How do you play the D whole-half scale on guitar?
D 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 G on the high e string at fret 3. The root falls on the D string at fret 0 and the B string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 1, 3 | E, F, G |
| 5 (A) | 1, 2 | A♯, B |
| 4 (D) | 0, 2, 3 | D, E, F |
| 3 (G) | 0, 1, 3 | G, G♯, A♯ |
| 2 (B) | 0, 2, 3 | B, C♯, D |
| 1 (e) | 0, 1, 3 | E, F, G |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
D whole-half in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 17 notes across 6 strings, from G on the low E string at fret 3 up to A♯ on the high e string at fret 6. The root falls on the A string at fret 5 and the B string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3, 4, 6 | G, G♯, A♯ |
| 5 (A) | 4, 5 | C♯, D |
| 4 (D) | 3, 5, 6 | F, G, G♯ |
| 3 (G) | 3, 4, 6 | A♯, B, C♯ |
| 2 (B) | 3, 5, 6 | D, E, F |
| 1 (e) | 3, 4, 6 | G, G♯, A♯ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
D whole-half in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 17 notes across 6 strings, from A♯ on the low E string at fret 6 up to C♯ on the high e string at fret 9. The root falls on the G string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 6, 7, 9 | A♯, B, C♯ |
| 5 (A) | 7, 8 | E, F |
| 4 (D) | 6, 8, 9 | G♯, A♯, B |
| 3 (G) | 6, 7, 9 | C♯, D, E |
| 2 (B) | 6, 8, 9 | F, G, G♯ |
| 1 (e) | 6, 7, 9 | A♯, B, C♯ |
Box 4 · frets 10–13
D whole-half in box 4 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 16 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 low E string at fret 10, the D string at fret 12 and the high e string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 10, 12, 13 | D, E, F |
| 5 (A) | 10, 11, 13 | G, G♯, A♯ |
| 4 (D) | 11, 12 | C♯, D |
| 3 (G) | 10, 12, 13 | F, G, G♯ |
| 2 (B) | 11, 12 | A♯, B |
| 1 (e) | 10, 12, 13 | D, E, F |
Why it sounds like that
D whole-half alternates whole and half steps from D: W-H-W-H-W-H-W-H. It shares six notes with D 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
D whole-half fits diminished chords like D diminished and D diminished 7th. It also works over E major or E 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 5, and the range 1–5 keeps the stretch manageable. It sets up Box 2 by moving the root to string 3, fret 7.
Common questions
What notes are in D whole-half?
D whole-half scale contains D, E, F, G, G♯, A♯, B, and C♯. The pattern alternates whole and half steps. It is also called D diminished scale.
Which chords fit D whole-half?
D whole-half works over D diminished and D diminished 7th chords. It also fits E major and E minor chords. The scale's tritone and leading tone create strong resolution.
How does D whole-half differ from D bebop melodic minor?
D whole-half and D bebop melodic minor share six notes. The whole-half scale has G♯ and A♯ instead of A and B♭. This changes the fifth degree and adds a tritone.