F# Whole Tone Scale
Notes in the F# Whole Tone Scale
| Degree | Name | Note | Frequency (A=440) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tonic | F# | 369.994 Hz |
| 2 | Supertonic | G# | 415.305 Hz |
| 3 | Mediant | A# | 466.164 Hz |
| ♯4 | Augmented 4th | C | 261.626 Hz |
| ♯5 | Augmented 5th | D | 293.665 Hz |
| ♭7 | Subtonic | E | 329.628 Hz |
Interval Pattern
| Step | Interval | Semitones | From Note | To Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | F# | G# |
| 2 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | G# | A# |
| 3 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | A# | C |
| 4 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | C | D |
| 5 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | D | E |
| 6 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | E | F# |
Chords Built on Scale Degrees
| Degree | Note | Chord | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | F# | F# augmented | augmented |
| 2 | G# | G# augmented | augmented |
| 3 | A# | A# augmented | augmented |
| ♯4 | C | C augmented | augmented |
| ♯5 | D | D augmented | augmented |
| ♭7 | E | E augmented | augmented |
Key Signature
6 ♯ — The F# key signature uses F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#.
F# Whole Tone Scale in Practice
The F# Whole Tone Scale uses the key signature of 6 sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#). F# major has six sharps and is enharmonically equivalent to Gb major. It is used when a sharp key is preferred over the flat alternative in notation. On guitar, F# 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| F# | 369.994 Hz | 371.251 Hz | 367.911 Hz |
| G# | 415.305 Hz | 417.657 Hz | 418.601 Hz |
| A# | 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 |
Related Scales
Guitar: F# Whole Tone Scale Positions
The F# key offers 6 sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#) on guitar. Sharp-side keys like F# are idiomatic guitar keys because open strings (E, A, D, G, B, E) align with the scale's natural resonance points.