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E♭ whole scale on guitar
E♭ whole scale contains E♭, F, G, A, B, C♯. Its six whole steps make every fret position feel identical.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, ♯4, ♯5, ♯6
How do you play the E♭ whole scale on guitar?
E♭ whole in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 12 notes across 6 strings, from F on the low E string at fret 1 up to G on the high e string at fret 3. The root falls on the D string at fret 1 and the B string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 1, 3 | F, G |
| 5 (A) | 2, 4 | B, C♯ |
| 4 (D) | 1, 3 | E♭, F |
| 3 (G) | 2, 4 | A, B |
| 2 (B) | 2, 4 | C♯, E♭ |
| 1 (e) | 1, 3 | F, G |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
E♭ whole in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 12 notes across 6 strings, from G on the low E string at fret 3 up to A on the high e string at fret 5. The root falls on the A string at fret 6 and the B string at fret 4.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3, 5 | G, A |
| 5 (A) | 4, 6 | C♯, E♭ |
| 4 (D) | 3, 5 | F, G |
| 3 (G) | 4, 6 | B, C♯ |
| 2 (B) | 4, 6 | E♭, F |
| 1 (e) | 3, 5 | G, A |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
E♭ 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 A string at fret 6 and the G string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5, 7 | A, B |
| 5 (A) | 6, 8 | E♭, F |
| 4 (D) | 5, 7 | G, A |
| 3 (G) | 6, 8 | C♯, E♭ |
| 2 (B) | 6, 8 | F, G |
| 1 (e) | 5, 7 | A, B |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
E♭ 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 G string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7, 9 | B, C♯ |
| 5 (A) | 8, 10 | F, G |
| 4 (D) | 7, 9 | A, B |
| 3 (G) | 8, 10 | E♭, F |
| 2 (B) | 8, 10 | G, A |
| 1 (e) | 7, 9 | B, C♯ |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
E♭ 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 E♭ on the high e string at fret 11. The root falls on the low E string at fret 11 and the high e string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 9, 11 | C♯, E♭ |
| 5 (A) | 10, 12 | G, A |
| 4 (D) | 9, 11 | B, C♯ |
| 3 (G) | 10, 12 | F, G |
| 2 (B) | 10, 12 | A, B |
| 1 (e) | 9, 11 | C♯, E♭ |
Box 6 · frets 11–14
E♭ whole in box 6 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 12 notes across 6 strings, from E♭ on the low E string at fret 11 up to F on the high e string at fret 13. The root falls on the low E string at fret 11, the D string at fret 13 and the high e string at fret 11.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 11, 13 | E♭, F |
| 5 (A) | 12, 14 | A, B |
| 4 (D) | 11, 13 | C♯, E♭ |
| 3 (G) | 12, 14 | G, A |
| 2 (B) | 12, 14 | B, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 11, 13 | E♭, F |
Why it sounds like that
E♭ whole derives from E♭ lydian augmented by lowering the sixth degree from C to C♯. The scale keeps the augmented fifth and adds a minor seventh, which removes the leading tone. Compare it with E♭ lydian augmented to hear the difference.
When to use it
E♭ whole fits E♭ 7th flat 5 and E♭ 7th sharp 5 chords. Use it over dominant chords in G♭ major or C minor progressions.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. Its root on string 4, fret 1 anchors the low end and covers frets 1–4.
Common questions
What notes are in E♭ whole scale?
E♭ whole scale contains E♭, F, G, A, B, and C♯. The scale has six notes separated by whole steps. It is also called Auxiliary Augmented. It is also spelled D♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords fit E♭ whole scale?
E♭ whole scale fits E♭ 7th flat 5 and E♭ 7th sharp 5 chords. The scale contains a diminished fifth and an augmented fifth. Use it over dominant chords with altered fifths.
Why does E♭ whole scale have two spellings?
The notes sound identical but are spelled differently. Use E♭ spelling in flat keys.