The Meaning of Whole Tone Scale in Music
A whole-tone scale is a musical scale that consists of six notes, with each note separated from its neighbors by the interval of a whole tone. In other words, each note in the scale is two semitones or two half steps apart. The whole-tone scale is characterized by its symmetrical and uniform structure, as all intervals within the scale are the same. This scale is often associated with a dreamy, ethereal, and ambiguous sound.
Characteristics of the Whole Tone Scale
- The whole-tone scale is a hexatonic scale, meaning it is comprised of six notes per octave.- It is a symmetrical scale, meaning it is the same on the way up as it is on the way down.- Since there are no semitones in the whole-tone scale, all thirds are major and all triads are augmented.- The whole-tone scale lacks the harmonic contrasts and resolutions found in the major-minor system and its different keys.- In twelve-tone equal temperament, there are only two complementary whole-tone scales, both of which are six-note or hexatonic scales.
Building a Whole Tone Scale
To build a whole-tone scale, you start with any note and then move up or down by whole tones (two semitones) until you have included all six notes of the scale. For example, starting with C, a whole-tone scale would be C - D - E - F# - G# - A# - C. Another whole-tone scale starting on a different note would be C# - D# - F - G - A - B - C#.
Examples of Whole Tone Scale in Music
The whole-tone scale has been used by various composers in different musical genres. One notable composer who extensively used the whole-tone scale in his compositions is Claude Debussy. His piece "Voiles" from the piano suite "Preludes" is a well-known example of the whole-tone scale in action. The whole-tone scale creates a sense of ambiguity and floating quality in the music, contributing to its dreamlike atmosphere.
Conclusion
In summary, the whole-tone scale is a musical scale consisting of six notes, with each note separated by a whole tone. It is a symmetrical scale with a uniform structure and lacks the harmonic contrasts found in traditional major-minor scales. The whole-tone scale has been used by composers to create dreamy and ambiguous musical atmospheres.
A scale built entirely of whole tone . The whole tone scale was used commonly by the French impressionists.
See modern-scale-construction in the Appendix.
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