F♯ Whole Tone Scale

Notes in the F♯ Whole Tone Scale

Interval Pattern

Chords Built on Scale Degrees

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. When played starting on F♯, the 6 notes are F♯, G♯, A♯, C, D, E. In this key the signature has 6 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯, A♯, E♯). F# major uses all five black keys plus E# and B#, making it one of the most enharmonically complex keys on keyboard instruments. In modern pop and electronic music, F# appears frequently because digital instruments have no ergonomic preference, and producers choose it for its distinctive brightness.

Tuning Frequencies Across Temperaments

Frequencies shown at A=440 Hz. View full temperament data for any note.

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.