Explore scales · Ukulele
A whole scale on ukulele
A whole scale is A, B, C♯, D♯, E♯, F♯♯. Box 1 places the root on string 4, fret 2 and string 2, fret 5.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, ♯4, ♯5, ♯6
How do you play the A whole scale on ukulele?
A whole in box 1 runs from fret 1 to fret 4, 8 notes across 4 strings, from C♯ on the C string at fret 1 up to C♯ on the A string at fret 4. The root falls on the G string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2, 4 | A, B |
| 3 (C) | 1, 3 | C♯, D♯ |
| 2 (E) | 1, 3 | E♯, F♯♯ |
| 1 (A) | 2, 4 | B, C♯ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
A whole in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 8 notes across 4 strings, from D♯ on the C string at fret 3 up to D♯ on the A string at fret 6. The root falls on the E string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4, 6 | B, C♯ |
| 3 (C) | 3, 5 | D♯, E♯ |
| 2 (E) | 3, 5 | F♯♯, A |
| 1 (A) | 4, 6 | C♯, D♯ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
A whole in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 8 notes across 4 strings, from E♯ on the C string at fret 5 up to E♯ on the A string at fret 8. The root falls on the E string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6, 8 | C♯, D♯ |
| 3 (C) | 5, 7 | E♯, F♯♯ |
| 2 (E) | 5, 7 | A, B |
| 1 (A) | 6, 8 | D♯, E♯ |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
A whole in box 4 runs from fret 7 to fret 10, 8 notes across 4 strings, from F♯♯ on the C string at fret 7 up to F♯♯ on the A string at fret 10. The root falls on the C string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8, 10 | D♯, E♯ |
| 3 (C) | 7, 9 | F♯♯, A |
| 2 (E) | 7, 9 | B, C♯ |
| 1 (A) | 8, 10 | E♯, F♯♯ |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
A whole in box 5 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 8 notes across 4 strings, from A on the C string at fret 9 up to A on the A string at fret 12. The root falls on the C string at fret 9 and the A string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 10, 12 | E♯, F♯♯ |
| 3 (C) | 9, 11 | A, B |
| 2 (E) | 9, 11 | C♯, D♯ |
| 1 (A) | 10, 12 | F♯♯, A |
Why it sounds like that
A whole is a six-note symmetrical scale built entirely from whole steps. It starts as A lydian augmented but replaces the major 7th with a minor 7th, giving intervals 1, 2, 3, ♯4, ♯5, ♯6. The scale contains a tritone between A and D♯, and no leading tone.
When to use it
A whole fits A 7th flat 5 and A 7th sharp 5 chords. Use it over dominant chords in A, or for a whole-tone colour in jazz and fusion. It also works over B 7th flat 5 and B 7th sharp 5.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first. It places the root on string 4, fret 2 and string 2, fret 5, covering frets 1–4.
Common questions
What notes are in the A whole scale?
A whole scale contains A, B, C♯, D♯, E♯, and F♯♯. These notes are all separated by whole steps. The scale has six notes, not seven.
Which chords does A whole fit?
A whole fits A 7th flat 5 and A 7th sharp 5 chords. It also works over B 7th flat 5 and B 7th sharp 5. Use it for dominant seventh chords with altered fifths.
Is A whole the same as A lydian augmented?
A whole differs from A lydian augmented by one note. A lydian augmented has a major 7th, while A whole has a minor 7th. The other five notes are identical.