Whole-tone scale

Definition

A scale containing no semitones but built entirely on whole tones. Debussy used the whole-tone scale in some of his pieces which were influenced by Impressionism. A whole-tone scale starting on C is shown below.

A whole-tone scale starting on C

Examples

Hear whole-tone scales in this piece by Debussy.

There are two ascending whole-tone scales in the intro to this song.

Related concepts

• Scale (N4 & N4 Tech)
• Tone (N5 & N5 Tech)
• Impressionist (H)