Whole tone scale

The whole tone scale is a hexatonic ( six-note ) scale, which is apparent ( = equidistant ) from an equal division of the octave into six -stage whole-tone intervals. Thus, the tone steps consist exclusively of large second sound or notation also requires from a third enharmonic diminished when the Oktavton with the startup sound in the notation should be identical.

A whole tone scale sounds to ears that are accustomed to the usual in western music diatonic scales, for example, major and minor, relatively unfamiliar, since it lacks the half steps. The relationships between the tones of the scale are not structured by occasional leading notes. Therefore, there is in the whole-tone scale no discernible tone, which elicits a "floating" effect. In other words, a whole tone scale are formed as the root without mode option on each note. A whole tone scale is neither tonal nor atonal. She gets her tonal function meaning only in the context composed.

Furthermore, the tritone, which can be formed here own ladder on each tone, contain three times, corresponding to a Tritonusgehalt of 3, and thus a characteristic interval of the whole-tone scale, making it relatively difficult to sing. Triads in Terzschichtung arise exclusively augmented triads, since all thirds are great through the whole steps. There are only two whole-tone scales, if the absolute Tonvorrat is considered by 12 tones: the initial whole-tone scale and the same half a tone shifted ( up or down ) / transpose:

The whole tone scale on C

The whole tone scale on H

The special effect of the whole-tone scale made ​​use of one of the first to Franz Liszt, for example, Rimsky-Korsakov to represent magical characters in his operas; later also the composer of Impressionism (such as Debussy and Ravel ). Olivier Messiaen's first mode in its system of limited transposable scales is the whole-tone scale, which Messiaen clearly indicates not to have invented the whole-tone scale, of course.

In jazz, the whole-tone scale receives an important role as an independent scale over dominant seventh with a raised fourth or fifth tiefalterierter. A well-known example from the pop music is the introduction (third and fourth clock ) to Stevie Wonder's song " You are the Sunshine of my Life ".

Sample

Whole-tone scale (midi )? / I

• Scale