Explore scales · Ukulele
F whole scale on ukulele
F whole tone uses F, G, A, B, C♯, D♯. Box 1 places the root on string 3, fret 5 and string 2, fret 1.
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 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 E string at fret 1.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2, 4 | A, B |
| 3 (C) | 1, 3 | C♯, D♯ |
| 2 (E) | 1, 3 | F, G |
| 1 (A) | 2, 4 | B, C♯ |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
F whole in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 8 notes across 4 strings, from D♯ on the C string at fret 3 up to D♯ on the A string at fret 6. The root falls on the C string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4, 6 | B, C♯ |
| 3 (C) | 3, 5 | D♯, F |
| 2 (E) | 3, 5 | G, A |
| 1 (A) | 4, 6 | C♯, D♯ |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
F 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 C string at fret 5 and the A string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6, 8 | C♯, D♯ |
| 3 (C) | 5, 7 | F, G |
| 2 (E) | 5, 7 | A, B |
| 1 (A) | 6, 8 | D♯, F |
Box 4 · frets 7–10
F 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 10 and the A string at fret 8.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8, 10 | D♯, F |
| 3 (C) | 7, 9 | G, A |
| 2 (E) | 7, 9 | B, C♯ |
| 1 (A) | 8, 10 | F, G |
Box 5 · frets 9–12
F 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 G string at fret 10.
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♯, D♯ |
| 1 (A) | 10, 12 | G, A |
Why it sounds like that
F whole tone is a sequence of whole steps: F to G to A to B to C♯ to D♯. Its formula is 1, 2, 3, ♯4, ♯5, ♯6. Because every interval is a major second, the scale is symmetric and has only two transpositions. See how it differs from F lydian augmented, which has seven notes.
When to use it
F whole tone suits dominant chords like F 7th flat 5 and F 7th sharp 5. It is used in jazz and modern classical music for its unresolved colour.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. The root on string 3, fret 5 is low and accessible, and the second root on string 2, fret 1 anchors the lower range.
Common questions
What is the interval pattern of F whole tone?
The pattern is 1, 2, 3, ♯4, ♯5, ♯6. That means the scale has a major third, raised fourth, raised fifth, and raised sixth.
Can I use F whole tone over an F7 chord?
Yes, especially over F7♭5 or F7♯5. The scale's ♯4 and ♯5 match the altered fifth of those chords.
How many whole tone scales are there?
There are only two distinct whole tone scales. F whole tone is the same as G whole tone, just starting on a different note.