Explore scales · Guitar
E whole scale on guitar
E whole contains E, F♯, G♯, A♯, B♯, C♯♯. Box 1 roots on string 4 fret 2 and string 2 fret 5 give a low-position grip.
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 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 low E string at fret 0, the D string at fret 2 and the high e string at fret 0.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
| 5 (A) | 1, 3 | A♯, B♯ |
| 4 (D) | 0, 2 | C♯♯, E |
| 3 (G) | 1, 3 | G♯, A♯ |
| 2 (B) | 1, 3 | B♯, C♯♯ |
| 1 (e) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
E 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 D string at fret 2 and the B 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 | B♯, C♯♯ |
| 4 (D) | 2, 4 | E, F♯ |
| 3 (G) | 3, 5 | A♯, B♯ |
| 2 (B) | 3, 5 | C♯♯, E |
| 1 (e) | 2, 4 | F♯, G♯ |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
E 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 A string at fret 7 and the B 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 | C♯♯, E |
| 4 (D) | 4, 6 | F♯, G♯ |
| 3 (G) | 5, 7 | B♯, C♯♯ |
| 2 (B) | 5, 7 | E, F♯ |
| 1 (e) | 4, 6 | G♯, A♯ |
Box 4 · frets 6–9
E 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 B♯ on the high e string at fret 8. The root falls on the A string at fret 7 and the G string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 6, 8 | A♯, B♯ |
| 5 (A) | 7, 9 | E, F♯ |
| 4 (D) | 6, 8 | G♯, A♯ |
| 3 (G) | 7, 9 | C♯♯, E |
| 2 (B) | 7, 9 | F♯, G♯ |
| 1 (e) | 6, 8 | A♯, B♯ |
Box 5 · frets 8–11
E whole in box 5 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 12 notes across 6 strings, from B♯ on the low E string at fret 8 up to C♯♯ on the high e string at fret 10. The root falls on the G string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 8, 10 | B♯, C♯♯ |
| 5 (A) | 9, 11 | F♯, G♯ |
| 4 (D) | 8, 10 | A♯, B♯ |
| 3 (G) | 9, 11 | E, F♯ |
| 2 (B) | 9, 11 | G♯, A♯ |
| 1 (e) | 8, 10 | B♯, C♯♯ |
Box 6 · frets 10–13
E whole in box 6 runs from fret 10 to fret 13, 12 notes across 6 strings, from C♯♯ on the low E string at fret 10 up to E on the high e string at fret 12. The root falls on the low E string at fret 12 and the high e string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 10, 12 | C♯♯, E |
| 5 (A) | 11, 13 | G♯, A♯ |
| 4 (D) | 10, 12 | B♯, C♯♯ |
| 3 (G) | 11, 13 | F♯, G♯ |
| 2 (B) | 11, 13 | A♯, B♯ |
| 1 (e) | 10, 12 | C♯♯, E |
Why it sounds like that
E whole is built from six consecutive whole steps. Its intervals are 1, 2, 3, ♯4, ♯5, ♯6. The closest seven-note scale is E lydian augmented, which lowers the sixth to C♯ and adds D♯.
When to use it
Play E whole over E 7th flat 5 or E 7th sharp 5 chords. It suits altered dominant sounds in jazz and fusion. The scale also works over F♯ 7th flat 5 and F♯ 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 4 fret 2, making it easy to move to Box 2.
Common questions
What chords go with E whole?
E 7th flat 5 and E 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 E whole the same as E lydian augmented?
No. E lydian augmented has a major seventh and a ♯4, while E whole has a ♯5 and ♯6. The whole scale is six notes; lydian augmented is seven notes.
How do I practise E whole on guitar?
Start with Box 1 and play the notes ascending and descending. Use a metronome and keep the root on string 4 fret 2 as a reference. Then shift to Box 2.