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