Explore scales · Guitar
F whole scale on guitar
F whole contains F, G, A, B, C♯, D♯. Box 1 roots on string 6 fret 1, string 4 fret 3, and string 1 fret 1 give a low-position grip.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, ♯4, ♯5, ♯6
How do you play the F whole scale on guitar?
F 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 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 | F, G |
| 5 (A) | 2, 4 | B, C♯ |
| 4 (D) | 1, 3 | D♯, F |
| 3 (G) | 2, 4 | A, B |
| 2 (B) | 2, 4 | C♯, D♯ |
| 1 (e) | 1, 3 | F, G |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
F 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 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, 5 | G, A |
| 5 (A) | 4, 6 | C♯, D♯ |
| 4 (D) | 3, 5 | F, G |
| 3 (G) | 4, 6 | B, C♯ |
| 2 (B) | 4, 6 | D♯, F |
| 1 (e) | 3, 5 | G, A |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
F 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 8 and the B string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5, 7 | A, B |
| 5 (A) | 6, 8 | D♯, F |
| 4 (D) | 5, 7 | G, A |
| 3 (G) | 6, 8 | C♯, D♯ |
| 2 (B) | 6, 8 | F, G |
| 1 (e) | 5, 7 | A, B |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
F 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 A string at fret 8 and the G string at fret 10.
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 | D♯, F |
| 2 (B) | 8, 10 | G, A |
| 1 (e) | 7, 9 | B, C♯ |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
F 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 D♯ on the high e string at fret 11. The root falls on the G string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 9, 11 | C♯, D♯ |
| 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♯, D♯ |
Box 6 · frets 11–14
F whole in box 6 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 12 notes across 6 strings, from D♯ 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 13 and the high e string at fret 13.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 11, 13 | D♯, F |
| 5 (A) | 12, 14 | A, B |
| 4 (D) | 11, 13 | C♯, D♯ |
| 3 (G) | 12, 14 | G, A |
| 2 (B) | 12, 14 | B, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 11, 13 | D♯, F |
Why it sounds like that
F whole is a six-note scale built from whole steps only. Its intervals are 1, 2, 3, ♯4, ♯5, ♯6. Compare it with F lydian augmented, which lowers the sixth to D and adds E.
When to use it
Use F whole over F 7th flat 5 or F 7th sharp 5 chords. It fits altered dominant chords in jazz and fusion. The scale also works over G 7th flat 5 and G 7th sharp 5 for a whole-tone color.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It covers frets 1–4 and keeps the root on string 6 fret 1, which is easy to find and sets up Box 2.
Common questions
Which chords fit F whole?
F 7th flat 5 and F 7th sharp 5 are the primary fits. The scale contains the root, third, and both altered fifths. Use it over dominant chords with a ♭5 or ♯5.
Is F whole the same as F lydian augmented?
No. F lydian augmented has a major seventh and a ♯4, while F whole has a ♯5 and ♯6. The whole scale is six notes; lydian augmented is seven notes.
How do I practise F whole on guitar?
Start with Box 1 and play the notes ascending and descending. Use a metronome and keep the root on string 6 fret 1 as a reference. Then shift to Box 2.