Explore scales · Ukulele
B♭ whole-half scale on ukulele
B♭ whole-half contains B♭, C, D♭, E♭, E, F♯, G, and A. Box 1 places the root on string 4, fret 3 and string 2, fret 6.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, ♭3, 4, ♯4, ♯5, 6, 7
How do you play the B♭ whole-half scale on ukulele?
B♭ whole-half in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 12 notes across 4 strings, from C on the C string at fret 0 up to C on the A string at fret 3. The root falls on the G string at fret 3 and the A string at fret 1.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 0, 2, 3 | G, A, B♭ |
| 3 (C) | 0, 1, 3 | C, D♭, E♭ |
| 2 (E) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
| 1 (A) | 0, 1, 3 | A, B♭, C |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
B♭ whole-half in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 12 notes across 4 strings, from E♭ on the C string at fret 3 up to E♭ on the A string at fret 6. The root falls on the G string at fret 3 and the E string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3, 5, 6 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 3 (C) | 3, 4, 6 | E♭, E, F♯ |
| 2 (E) | 3, 5, 6 | G, A, B♭ |
| 1 (A) | 3, 4, 6 | C, D♭, E♭ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
B♭ whole-half in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 12 notes across 4 strings, from F♯ on the C string at fret 6 up to F♯ on the A string at fret 9. The root falls on the E string at fret 6.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6, 8, 9 | D♭, E♭, E |
| 3 (C) | 6, 7, 9 | F♯, G, A |
| 2 (E) | 6, 8, 9 | B♭, C, D♭ |
| 1 (A) | 6, 7, 9 | E♭, E, F♯ |
Box 4 · frets 10–12
B♭ whole-half in box 4 runs from fret 10 to fret 12, 8 notes across 4 strings, from B♭ on the C string at fret 10 up to A on the A string at fret 12. The root falls on the C string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 11, 12 | F♯, G |
| 3 (C) | 10, 12 | B♭, C |
| 2 (E) | 11, 12 | E♭, E |
| 1 (A) | 10, 12 | G, A |
Why it sounds like that
B♭ whole-half alternates whole and half steps from B♭. The ♯4 E and ♯5 F♯ create the diminished flavor. Compare with B♭ bebop melodic minor to hear the raised fifth. The scale includes a leading tone A.
When to use it
B♭ whole-half fits B♭ diminished and B♭ diminished 7th chords. Use it over B♭ diminished progressions in jazz or metal. The leading tone resolves to B♭ major or B♭ minor.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root sits on string 4, fret 3, and the shape covers frets 0–3.
Common questions
What notes are in B♭ whole-half?
B♭ whole-half contains B♭, C, D♭, E♭, E, F♯, G, and A. The scale alternates whole and half steps. It is also called B♭ diminished. It is also spelled A♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Which chords does B♭ whole-half fit?
B♭ whole-half fits B♭ diminished and B♭ diminished 7th chords. Use it over diminished progressions. The leading tone resolves to B♭ major or B♭ minor.
How does B♭ whole-half differ from B♭ bebop melodic minor?
B♭ whole-half has a ♯4 E and ♯5 F♯, while B♭ bebop melodic minor has a perfect 5th F and an added G♭. The whole-half scale sounds more diminished.