The whole-tone scale is made of repeating whole tones (whole-steps). Therefore, a whole-tone scale built upon Db would contain Db, Eb, F, G, A and B. Like the chromatic scale, these pitches are the same pitches that one would find in a whole-tone scale built upon Eb, or any of the pitches in this particular scale. For instance, a whole-tone scale built upon F would be F, G, A, B, Db, Eb and a whole-tone scale built on B would be B, C#, D#, F, G, A. These two are really the same scale, since C#=Db and D#=Eb. For this reason, there exist only two possible whole-tone scales:the scale including the pitches C, D, E, F#, G# and A# Any whole-tone scale within the western musical system will fall enharmonically into one of these two categories. The whole-tone scale was used widely by impressionists to create a floating, ethereal sound. The scale also finds a place in jazz improvisation, as it is among the most colorful scales to use where a raised-fifth scale degree is indicated. Incidentally, the scale contains all of the notes of two augmented chords placed side-by-side, a whole step apart. |
| Bert Brandsma Swing trio live at the festival: te Gast in Garnwerd (A nice story is that Ben Webster, then Ellington's first real tenorsax soloist had some difficulties with the second chord, located in bars three and four. Jimmy Blanton, the bass-player had the knowledge and explained to him that it is based on the whole-tone scale.) |
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