Explore scales · Guitar
G whole-half scale on guitar
G whole-half scale contains G, A, B♭, C, C♯, D♯, E, and F♯. Box 1 places the root on string 6, fret 3 for a low, dark position.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 4, ♯4, ♯5, 6, 7
How do you play the G whole-half scale on guitar?
G whole-half in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 16 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 low E string at fret 3, the G string at fret 0 and the high e string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
| 5 (A) | 0, 1, 3 | A, B♭, C |
| 4 (D) | 1, 2 | D♯, E |
| 3 (G) | 0, 2, 3 | G, A, B♭ |
| 2 (B) | 1, 2 | C, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
G whole-half in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 16 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 low E string at fret 3, the D string at fret 5 and the high e string at fret 3.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3, 5, 6 | G, A, B♭ |
| 5 (A) | 3, 4, 6 | C, C♯, D♯ |
| 4 (D) | 4, 5 | F♯, G |
| 3 (G) | 3, 5, 6 | B♭, C, C♯ |
| 2 (B) | 4, 5 | D♯, E |
| 1 (e) | 3, 5, 6 | G, A, B♭ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
G whole-half in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 17 notes across 6 strings, from A on the low E string at fret 5 up to C on the high e string at fret 8. The root falls on the D string at fret 5 and the B string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5, 6, 8 | A, B♭, C |
| 5 (A) | 6, 7 | D♯, E |
| 4 (D) | 5, 7, 8 | G, A, B♭ |
| 3 (G) | 5, 6, 8 | C, C♯, D♯ |
| 2 (B) | 5, 7, 8 | E, F♯, G |
| 1 (e) | 5, 6, 8 | A, B♭, C |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
G whole-half in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 17 notes across 6 strings, from C on the low E string at fret 8 up to D♯ on the high e string at fret 11. The root falls on the A string at fret 10 and the B string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 8, 9, 11 | C, C♯, D♯ |
| 5 (A) | 9, 10 | F♯, G |
| 4 (D) | 8, 10, 11 | B♭, C, C♯ |
| 3 (G) | 8, 9, 11 | D♯, E, F♯ |
| 2 (B) | 8, 10, 11 | G, A, B♭ |
| 1 (e) | 8, 9, 11 | C, C♯, D♯ |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
G whole-half in box 5 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 17 notes across 6 strings, from D♯ on the low E string at fret 11 up to F♯ on the high e string at fret 14. The root falls on the G string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 11, 12, 14 | D♯, E, F♯ |
| 5 (A) | 12, 13 | A, B♭ |
| 4 (D) | 11, 13, 14 | C♯, D♯, E |
| 3 (G) | 11, 12, 14 | F♯, G, A |
| 2 (B) | 11, 13, 14 | B♭, C, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 11, 12, 14 | D♯, E, F♯ |
Why it sounds like that
G whole-half alternates whole and half steps from G: W-H-W-H-W-H-W-H. It shares six notes with G 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
G whole-half fits diminished chords like G diminished and G diminished 7th. It also works over A major or A 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 3, and the range 1–5 keeps the stretch manageable. It sets up Box 2 by moving the root to string 4, fret 5.
Common questions
What notes are in G whole-half?
G whole-half scale contains G, A, B♭, C, C♯, D♯, E, and F♯. The pattern alternates whole and half steps. It is also called G diminished scale.
Which chords fit G whole-half?
G whole-half works over G diminished and G diminished 7th chords. It also fits A major and A minor chords. The scale's tritone and leading tone create strong resolution.
How does G whole-half differ from G bebop melodic minor?
G whole-half and G bebop melodic minor share six notes. The whole-half scale has C♯ and D♯ instead of D and E♭. This changes the fifth degree and adds a tritone.