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