A whole-tone scale is a musical scale consisting entirely of whole-step intervals between consecutive notes. This means each note is separated from its neighbors by a whole tone (two semitones), resulting in a six-note scale, also known as a hexatonic scale

Characteristics of the Whole-Tone Scale

• Number of Notes: 6 notes per octave.
• Interval Structure: All intervals are whole steps (2 semitones), creating a symmetrical pattern

• Number of Unique Scales: Only two distinct whole-tone scales exist in the 12-tone system, each starting on different notes but covering all possible whole-tone collections

• Harmony: The scale contains only augmented triads, as all thirds are major and no minor or perfect intervals occur. This leads to a lack of traditional tonal center or leading tones

• Tonal Ambiguity: Because of its symmetry and absence of semitones, the whole-tone scale produces a "floating," "drifting," or "dreamy" sound without a strong sense of resolution or tonic

• Common Usage: Often used over dominant seventh chords, especially those with altered tones like #5 or #11, to add tension and color in jazz and modern music

Example of a Whole-Tone Scale

• C whole-tone scale: C, D, E, F♯, G♯, A♯
• C♯ whole-tone scale: C♯, D♯, F, G, A, B

Both scales repeat every whole step and include two augmented triads a whole step apart

Musical Context

• The whole-tone scale lacks the functional harmonic contrasts found in major/minor scales, relying on repetition and emphasis to suggest tonal centers

• It has been used to evoke surreal, dreamlike, or ambiguous atmospheres in classical music, jazz, film scores, and cartoons

• In jazz, it is frequently employed over dominant chords to create altered dominant sounds, such as C7(#5)

In summary, the whole-tone scale is a symmetrical, six-note scale made up entirely of whole steps, notable for its tonal ambiguity and characteristic augmented harmony, often used to evoke dreamy or tension-filled moods in various musical genres.