C Whole Tone Scale

The C Whole Tone Scale has an Augmented quality due to its Major Third E and Augmented Fifth G♯. The Whole Tone Scale, like C Whole Tone, has a whole tone interval between each note and as a result lacks any definitive tonality. The C Whole Tone Scale is classified as a hexatonic scale as it has six notes, C, D, E, F♯, G♯, B.

Below you will find the C Whole Tone Scale notes, notation, patterns, degrees, intervals and more. You can also opt to see the C Whole Tone Scale on your preferred instrument.

Notes Ascending

C, D, E, F♯, G♯, B, C

Notes Descending

C, B, G♯, F♯, E, D, C

Pattern Ascending

T, T, T, T, T, T

S = Semitone, T = Tone (2 Semitones)

Pattern Descending

T, T, T, T, T, T

S = Semitone, T = Tone (2 Semitones)

Degrees Ascending

NoteNumberName
C1Tonic
D2Supertonic
E3Mediant
F♯♯4Subdominant
G♯♯5Dominant
B7Subtonic
C8Tonic (Octave)

Degrees Descending

NoteNumberName
C8Tonic (Octave)
B7Subtonic
G♯♯5Dominant
F♯♯4Subdominant
E3Mediant
D2Supertonic
C1Tonic

Intervals Ascending

NotesSemitonesInterval
C > C0Perfect Unison (P1)
C > D2Major 2nd (M2)
C > E4Major 3rd (M3)
C > F♯6Tritone
C > G♯8minor 6th (m6)
C > B10minor 7th (m7)
C > C12Perfect Octave (P8)

Intervals Descending

NotesSemitonesInterval
C > C0Perfect Unison (P1)
C > B2Major 2nd (M2)
C > G♯4Major 3rd (M3)
C > F♯6Tritone
C > E8minor 6th (m6)
C > D10minor 7th (m7)
C > C12Perfect Octave (P8)

Scales related to C Whole Tone Scale

Enharmonic Equivalent

Scale with the same root and notes as the C Whole Tone Scale but different spelling.

B♯ Whole Tone Scale

Chords related to C Whole Tone Scale

Related Triads

These chords have been built using the notes of the C Whole Tone Scale. The chords are in degree order and shown in Roman numerals (lowercase = minor/diminished, uppercase = Major/Augmented).

I+ Chord - C Augmented

II+ Chord - D Augmented

III+ Chord - E Augmented

♯IV+ Chord - F♯ Augmented

♯V+ Chord - G♯ Augmented

VII+ Chord - B Augmented

Learn to Play C Whole Tone Scale

Instrument View

See C Whole Tone Scale on

If you want to learn what scales and modes are and much more, check out our free Fundamentals of Music Theory course. If you already know some of the basics, you can jump straight into the scales lesson.

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