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