Whole-Tone Scale

The whole-tone scale is built entirely of whole steps (six notes per octave), creating a dreamy, ambiguous sound with no clear tonal center. Debussy used it extensively; it's also the sound of 'You Are the Sunshine of My Life's intro.

How to Use This Reference

Download our free printable staff paper from the recommended templates below and write out the whole-tone scale yourself. Writing scales by hand reinforces the pattern in your muscle memory faster than any app.