B Whole Tone Scale
Notes in the B Whole Tone Scale
| Degree | Name | Note | Frequency (A=440) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tonic | B | 493.883 Hz |
| 2 | Supertonic | C# | 277.183 Hz |
| 3 | Mediant | D# | 311.127 Hz |
| ♯4 | Augmented 4th | F | 349.228 Hz |
| ♯5 | Augmented 5th | G | 391.995 Hz |
| ♭7 | Subtonic | A | 440.000 Hz |
Interval Pattern
| Step | Interval | Semitones | From Note | To Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | B | C# |
| 2 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | C# | D# |
| 3 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | D# | F |
| 4 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | F | G |
| 5 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | G | A |
| 6 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | A | B |
Chords Built on Scale Degrees
| Degree | Note | Chord | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | B | B augmented | augmented |
| 2 | C# | C# augmented | augmented |
| 3 | D# | D# augmented | augmented |
| ♯4 | F | F augmented | augmented |
| ♯5 | G | G augmented | augmented |
| ♭7 | A | A augmented | augmented |
Key Signature
5 ♯ — The B key signature uses F#, C#, G#, D#, A#.
B Whole Tone Scale in Practice
The B Whole Tone Scale uses the key signature of 5 sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#, A#). B major has five sharps and a bright, somewhat tense quality. Enharmonically equivalent to Cb major, it is used in orchestral writing and some jazz compositions. On guitar, B positions offer open-string resonance for fingering positions for this scale.
The whole tone scale divides the octave into six equal whole steps, creating a symmetrical, ambiguous sound with no tonal center. Debussy used it extensively to create impressionistic, floating effects.
Tuning Frequencies Across Temperaments
Frequencies shown at A=440 Hz. View full temperament data for any note.
| Note | Equal Temp. | Pythagorean | Just Intonation |
|---|---|---|---|
| B | 493.883 Hz | 495.000 Hz | 490.548 Hz |
| C# | 277.183 Hz | 278.437 Hz | 279.067 Hz |
| D# | 311.127 Hz | 309.026 Hz | 313.951 Hz |
| F | 349.228 Hz | 347.654 Hz | 348.834 Hz |
| G | 391.995 Hz | 391.111 Hz | 392.438 Hz |
| A | 440.000 Hz | 440.000 Hz | 436.043 Hz |
Related Scales
Guitar: B Whole Tone Scale Positions
The B key offers 5 sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#, A#) on guitar. Sharp-side keys like B are idiomatic guitar keys because open strings (E, A, D, G, B, E) align with the scale's natural resonance points.