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