Explore scales · Ukulele
D whole scale on ukulele
D whole scale is D, E, F♯, G♯, A♯, B♯. Box 1 places the root on string 3, fret 2 and string 1, fret 5.
How it is built
Formula 1, 2, 3, ♯4, ♯5, ♯6
How do you play the D whole scale on ukulele?
D whole in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 8 notes across 4 strings, from B♯ on the C string at fret 0 up to B♯ on the A string at fret 3. The root falls on the C string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1, 3 | G♯, A♯ |
| 3 (C) | 0, 2 | B♯, D |
| 2 (E) | 0, 2 | E, F♯ |
| 1 (A) | 1, 3 | A♯, B♯ |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
D whole in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 8 notes across 4 strings, from D on the C string at fret 2 up to D on the A string at fret 5. The root falls on the C string at fret 2 and the A string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3, 5 | A♯, B♯ |
| 3 (C) | 2, 4 | D, E |
| 2 (E) | 2, 4 | F♯, G♯ |
| 1 (A) | 3, 5 | B♯, D |
Box 3 · frets 4–7
D whole in box 3 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 8 notes across 4 strings, from E on the C string at fret 4 up to E on the A string at fret 7. The root falls on the G string at fret 7 and the A string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5, 7 | B♯, D |
| 3 (C) | 4, 6 | E, F♯ |
| 2 (E) | 4, 6 | G♯, A♯ |
| 1 (A) | 5, 7 | D, E |
Box 4 · frets 6–9
D whole in box 4 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 8 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 G string at fret 7.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 7, 9 | D, E |
| 3 (C) | 6, 8 | F♯, G♯ |
| 2 (E) | 6, 8 | A♯, B♯ |
| 1 (A) | 7, 9 | E, F♯ |
Box 5 · frets 8–11
D whole in box 5 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 8 notes across 4 strings, from G♯ on the C string at fret 8 up to G♯ on the A string at fret 11. The root falls on the E string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 9, 11 | E, F♯ |
| 3 (C) | 8, 10 | G♯, A♯ |
| 2 (E) | 8, 10 | B♯, D |
| 1 (A) | 9, 11 | F♯, G♯ |
Why it sounds like that
D whole is a six-note symmetrical scale built entirely from whole steps. It starts as D 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 D and G♯, and no leading tone.
When to use it
D whole fits D 7th flat 5 and D 7th sharp 5 chords. Use it over dominant chords in D, or for a whole-tone colour in jazz and fusion. It also works over E 7th flat 5 and E 7th sharp 5.
Which position to practise
Learn Box 1 first. It places the root on string 3, fret 2 and string 1, fret 5, covering frets 0–3.
Common questions
What notes are in the D whole scale?
D whole scale contains D, E, F♯, G♯, A♯, and B♯. These notes are all separated by whole steps. The scale has six notes, not seven.
Which chords does D whole fit?
D whole fits D 7th flat 5 and D 7th sharp 5 chords. It also works over E 7th flat 5 and E 7th sharp 5. Use it for dominant seventh chords with altered fifths.
Is D whole the same as D lydian augmented?
D whole differs from D lydian augmented by one note. D lydian augmented has a major 7th, while D whole has a minor 7th. The other five notes are identical.