Bb Whole Tone Scale
Notes in the Bb Whole Tone Scale
| Degree | Name | Note | Frequency (A=440) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tonic | Bb | 466.164 Hz |
| 2 | Supertonic | C | 261.626 Hz |
| 3 | Mediant | D | 293.665 Hz |
| ♯4 | Augmented 4th | E | 329.628 Hz |
| ♯5 | Augmented 5th | Gb | 369.994 Hz |
| ♭7 | Subtonic | Ab | 415.305 Hz |
Interval Pattern
| Step | Interval | Semitones | From Note | To Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | Bb | C |
| 2 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | C | D |
| 3 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | D | E |
| 4 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | E | Gb |
| 5 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | Gb | Ab |
| 6 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | Ab | Bb |
Chords Built on Scale Degrees
| Degree | Note | Chord | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bb | Bb augmented | augmented |
| 2 | C | C augmented | augmented |
| 3 | D | D augmented | augmented |
| ♯4 | E | E augmented | augmented |
| ♯5 | Gb | Gb augmented | augmented |
| ♭7 | Ab | Ab augmented | augmented |
Key Signature
2 ♭ — The Bb key signature uses Bb, Eb.
Bb Whole Tone Scale in Practice
The Bb Whole Tone Scale uses the key signature of 2 flats (Bb, Eb). Bb major has two flats (Bb, Eb) and is extremely common in jazz and wind ensemble music. It is the home key for Bb instruments such as the trumpet and tenor saxophone. On guitar, Bb positions offer comfortable transposing instrument keys 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bb | 466.164 Hz | 463.538 Hz | 470.926 Hz |
| C | 261.626 Hz | 260.740 Hz | 261.626 Hz |
| D | 293.665 Hz | 293.332 Hz | 294.329 Hz |
| E | 329.628 Hz | 330.001 Hz | 327.032 Hz |
| Gb | 369.994 Hz | 371.251 Hz | 367.911 Hz |
| Ab | 415.305 Hz | 417.657 Hz | 418.601 Hz |
Related Scales
Transposing Instruments: Bb Whole Tone Scale
Bb is a natural key for B♭ instruments (trumpet, clarinet, tenor sax), which sound a major second lower than written. B♭ instruments reading in C produce Bb concert pitch. E♭ instruments (alto sax, baritone sax) reading in Bb sound a major sixth lower.