Guitar Scale Logic
A Whole Tone Guitar Scale in Open C
Whole Tone scale notes, fretboard positions and guitar tabs for Open C.
Scale Tablature
Position 1
E|---------------------------1--3--| C|---------------------1--3--------| G|------------0--2--4--------------| C|------1--3-----------------------| G|2--4-----------------------------| C|---------------------------------|
0-4 frets • five-fret position fragment • 11 notes
Theory & Context
Why This Shape Works
The A Whole Tone scale uses A, B, C♯, D♯, E♯, G and the formula 1 2 3 #4 #5 b7. In Open C tuning, the open strings run E C G C G C from highest to lowest, so use this map rather than a Standard-tuning shape. Use the map to locate each A root, then select a five-fret position to see its tablature. The chord suggestions use notes from this scale.
Whole Tone sounds dreamy, ambiguous and slippery. Try it for outside runs, tension before resolution and impressionistic harmony. Open C is C-G-C-G-C-E from low to high. Its open strings form a C major chord, with C on three strings.
Use short bursts because the symmetry removes a strong tonal center quickly. In Open C, use the three open C strings to check the roots when practising in C.
- A
- B
- C♯
- D♯
- E♯
- G
Suggested Chords
Works Well With This Scale
These chords contain notes from the selected scale.
- Aaugaugmented
- Baugaugmented
- C♯augaugmented
- D♯augaugmented
- E♯augaugmented
- Gaugaugmented