How to Play the E Major Whole Tone Scale on the Guitar

Feeling adventurous with your guitar playing? Let’s take a journey into the world of the E Major Whole Tone Scale. This scale isn’t your everyday pentatonic or blues scale—it’s got a unique, almost otherworldly sound that can add a fresh twist to your solos and riffs. In this post, we’ll break down how to play the E Major Whole Tone Scale on your guitar, explore its uses, and show you how to incorporate it into your metal playing for some seriously dynamic results.

What Makes the Whole Tone Scale Unique?

The whole tone scale is a bit of a rebel in the music theory world. Unlike the more traditional major and minor scales, the whole tone scale is made up entirely of whole steps. This gives it a dreamy, floating quality that can be both intriguing and challenging to work with. In the case of the E Major Whole Tone Scale, you’d start on E and move up in whole steps: E, F#, G#, A#, C, and D. Then you’re back to E, octave higher.

Why does this matter? Well, the absence of half steps means you don’t get the typical tension and resolution found in most scales. This can make the whole tone scale sound ambiguous and open-ended, which is perfect for creating tension or a sense of unease—great for those heavy metal vibes!

Fingering the E Major Whole Tone Scale

Getting your fingers around the E Major Whole Tone Scale might feel a bit odd at first. The pattern isn’t as straightforward as a pentatonic or major scale, but with a bit of practice, you’ll have it under your fingers in no time. Here’s a simple way to play it on the guitar:

• Start on the Open E String: Your first note is the open E string.
• Move to the F#: Play the second fret of the low E string.
• Slide to G#: Now hit the fourth fret on the low E string.
• Shift to A#: Jump to the first fret on the A string.
• Reach for C: Play the third fret on the A string.
• Head to D: Finally, hit the fifth fret on the A string.

Repeat these steps up the strings, keeping the whole step intervals consistent. Remember, it’s all about those whole steps. Once you get the hang of it, feel free to experiment with different fingerings that might suit your style better.

Incorporating the Scale into Your Playing

So, you’ve mastered the scale, but how do you actually use it? This is where things get fun. The whole tone scale can lend a really unique flavor to your playing, especially when you’re looking to add some tension or a dissonant feel to a riff or solo. Here are some ideas:

• Use It for Tension: Sprinkle the scale into a solo to build tension before resolving back to a more conventional scale.
• Create Dreamy Soundscapes: Layer it with effects like delay and reverb for an ethereal vibe.
• Spice Up a Riff: Incorporate whole tone runs into your riffs to make them stand out.

If you’re looking to deepen your rhythm and lead guitar skills, Riffhard offers a treasure trove of lessons taught by some of the best metal guitarists in the world. With our instructors, you can learn how to infuse unusual scales like the whole tone into your playing.

Practicing the Scale with Technique

Practicing scales isn’t just about memorizing notes, it’s about building technique. When you’re working on the E Major Whole Tone Scale, focus on precision and clarity. Here are some tips:

• Alternate Picking: Use consistent alternate picking to keep your playing clean and articulate.
• Use a Metronome: Start slow and gradually increase your speed. Riffhard’s custom metronome is perfect for this!
• Focus on Dynamics: Experiment with different picking dynamics, going from soft to aggressive, to add expression to the scale.

Remember, practice isn’t just about speed. It’s about control. Playing slowly and accurately builds the foundation for faster playing down the road.

Experimenting with Arpeggios

If you’re feeling adventurous, try incorporating arpeggios based on the whole tone scale into your playing. Since the scale is symmetrical, every note can function as a root, making it perfect for creating interesting arpeggios.

• Start with Simple Patterns: Begin with two or three-note arpeggios to get a feel for the sound.
• Mix and Match: Combine arpeggios from different starting points for a more complex sound.
• Use in Solos: Arpeggios can add a sophisticated touch to your solos, especially when used sparingly.

For some excellent lessons on arpeggios and advanced metal guitar techniques, our courses at Riffhard are a great resource. You’ll find insights from top guitarists who’ve mastered these skills.

Whole Tone Scale in Metal Context

So, how does the whole tone scale fit into metal? Metal is all about pushing boundaries, and the ambiguous nature of the whole tone scale makes it perfect for adding an edge to your sound.

• Break the Mold: Use the scale to create riffs that defy traditional structures.
• Leverage Dissonance: The scale’s natural tension can make your music sound more intense and unpredictable.
• Enhance Solos: Infuse sections of your solos with whole tone licks for a modern, avant-garde feel.

With its unpredictable nature, the whole tone scale can breathe new life into your metal compositions, making them stand out in a genre that’s always looking for the next big thing.

Combining with Other Scales

One of the most exciting aspects of the whole tone scale is its ability to blend with other scales. Pairing it with more conventional scales can create exciting contrasts:

• Whole Tone and Minor Pentatonic: Switch between these scales to create unexpected twists in your solos.
• Whole Tone and Phrygian Dominant: Use the whole tone to add a dissonant touch to the exotic Phrygian sound.
• Whole Tone and Dorian: Smoothly transition between the ambiguous whole tone and the jazzy Dorian for a unique hybrid sound.

By combining the whole tone scale with others, you can craft solos and riffs that are both innovative and deeply engaging. Our instructors at Riffhard are experts at teaching these types of creative, stylistic blends.

Improvisation with the Scale

Improvisation is where the whole tone scale truly shines. The lack of traditional tonal centers allows for a free-form approach that can inspire new musical ideas.

• Set a Mood: Start a jam session with the whole tone scale to set an eerie or mysterious tone.
• Explore Freely: Without the constraints of defined resolutions, you can explore the neck more freely.
• React to the Band: Use the scale to respond to what your bandmates are playing, adding unexpected twists and turns.

Improvising with the whole tone scale can be a wild ride, but it’s a fantastic way to push your creative boundaries and discover new sounds.

Final Thoughts

The E Major Whole Tone Scale is a versatile tool for any guitarist looking to spice up their playing. Whether you’re using it to add tension, create unique riffs, or explore new improvisational possibilities, this scale is a valuable addition to your musical toolkit. For more tips and in-depth lessons on scales and techniques, we at Riffhard are here to help you dive deeper into your guitar journey. With lessons from some of the best in the metal world, you’re in great hands to take your playing to the next level.