D Whole Tone Guitar Scale
Guitar scale — fretboard diagramIntermediate
What chords fit over D Whole Tone?
Open D Whole Tone HarmonizerD Whole Tone Scale — Notes and Intervals
The D Whole Tone scale, also known as Messiaen's Mode of Limited Transposition #1, is a perfectly symmetrical scale that lacks a tonal center, creating a sense of weightlessness and blur. On Guitar, it contains the notes D, E, F#, G#, A#, C. It divides the octave into six equal whole steps, meaning only two unique whole tone scales exist. Popularized by Claude Debussy and used extensively in film scores, it evokes impressionistic, dreamlike atmospheres where no single note feels like home. Use it over augmented triads and 7#5 chords for a floating, surreal effect. Commonly used in Impressionist, Film Scores, Jazz, Ambient, Experimental. Notable players include Claude Debussy, Thelonious Monk, Wayne Shorter, Joe Satriani. Use over augmented triads, 7#5 chords. Perfect for dream sequences, transitions, and any moment where tonality should dissolve.
Notes: D, E, F#, G#, A#, C
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3M, 4A, 5A, 6A
Degrees: 1 2 3 #4 #5 #6
Formula: W-W-W-W-W-W
Number of notes: 6
Also known as: messiaen's mode #1
Musical Character
Divides the octave into 6 equal whole steps — no half steps means no tension, no resolution, no tonal center. Only 2 possible whole tone scales exist (starting on C or C#).
Genres & Notable Artists
Genres: Impressionist, Film Scores, Jazz, Ambient, Experimental
Notable players: Claude Debussy, Thelonious Monk, Wayne Shorter, Joe Satriani
How to Use the D Whole Tone Scale
Use over augmented triads, 7#5 chords. Perfect for dream sequences, transitions, and any moment where tonality should dissolve.
Origin & Background
Popularized by Claude Debussy in the late 19th century. Also known as Messiaen's Mode of Limited Transposition #1.
How to Play D Whole Tone on Guitar
Place your index finger at fret 10 on the 6th (low E) to find your D root note. Use a three-notes-per-string fingering to cover the full scale in one position, or learn the CAGED shapes to navigate the entire fretboard. An alternative starting point is open position using open D string.
The D Whole Tone scale contains 3 sharps (F#, G#, A#). This scale does not follow a traditional major or minor key signature, so reading from sheet music may require accidentals.
Practice Routine
Begin by playing the D Whole Tone scale ascending and descending at 80 BPM using a metronome, one note per beat. Once comfortable, practice in thirds (D-F#, E-G#) to build intervallic familiarity. Spend 5 minutes daily on this pattern before increasing tempo by 10 BPM.
Experiment with simple two-chord vamps rooted on D to let the characteristic intervals of the Whole Tone scale come through clearly. This scale is especially effective in experimental contexts.
Guitar Tips
Use hybrid picking (pick + fingers) when playing the D Whole Tone scale on guitar to access wider intervals and string skips that a pick alone cannot handle efficiently. Aim for a weightless quality in your phrasing to match the natural character of this scale.
Related Scales
The D Whole Tone scale contains 6 notes (D, E, F#, G#, A#, C). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Guitar with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for D Whole Tone
The D Whole Tone scale can be played in 5 CAGED positions across the fretboard, each based on an open chord shape (C, A, G, E, D). As a 6-note pentatonic scale, 2-notes-per-string patterns are the most ergonomic way to traverse the fretboard. Use the pattern selector above to isolate each position.
Explore D Whole Tone Further
- Harmonize the D Whole Tone scale — triads & 7th chords
- Browse chord progressions
- D Whole Tone on Ukulele
- D Whole Tone on Bass
- D Whole Tone on Piano
Explore D Whole Tone in Other Tunings
- D Whole Tone in Drop D (E-B-G-D-A-D)
- D Whole Tone in DADGAD (D-A-G-D-A-D)
- D Whole Tone in Open G (D-B-G-D-G-D)
- D Whole Tone in Baritone (B Standard) (B-F#-D-A-E-B)
- D Whole Tone in 7-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B)
- D Whole Tone in 8-string (E-B-G-D-A-E-B-F#)
- D Whole Tone in Drop C (D-A-F-C-G-C)
- D Whole Tone in Drop B (C#-G#-E-B-F#-B)
- D Whole Tone in Open D (D-A-F#-D-A-D)
- D Whole Tone in Half Step Down (Eb-Bb-Gb-Db-Ab-Eb)
- D Whole Tone in Open E (E-B-G#-E-B-E)
- D Whole Tone in Open A (E-C#-A-E-A-E)
- D Whole Tone in Double Drop D (D-B-G-D-A-D)
- D Whole Tone in Open C (E-C-G-C-G-C)