The Whole Tone Pentatonic scale is a specialized five-note subset of the full Whole Tone scale. By selecting the most harmonically active tones—including the augmented fifth and the flat seventh—it provides a sleek way to navigate dominant augmented chords with a dreamlike, "outside" sound.
Construction and formula
This version of the Whole Tone Pentatonic scale focuses on the intervals that define the dominant augmented sound. It consists of the 1st, 3rd, ♯4th, ♯5th, and ♭7th degrees.
Its interval formula is: 1–3–♯4–♯5–♭7 (also written as 1–3–♭5–♭6–♭7).
In C, the notes are: C–E–G♭–A♭–B♭.
This structure is highly symmetrical, effectively acting as an augmented seventh arpeggio with an added ♯4/♭5, which removes the "clutter" of the 2nd degree found in the full six-note scale.
Musical usage
This scale is a powerful tool for soloing over dominant 7♯5 chords and dominant 7♭5 chords. In modern jazz and fusion, it is used to create a "blurring" effect, where the harmony seems to float without a clear resolution point, while still acknowledging the dominant function of the ♭7.
In cinematic scoring, it is used to suggest mystery, transition, or altered states. Its symmetrical nature allows for hypnotic motifs that defy traditional major/minor gravity and provide a sophisticated "outside" flavor.
Examples
- Soloing over a C7♯5 chord to highlight the altered tensions.
- Cinematic textures for dream sequences or "blurring" transitions.
- Modern jazz improvisation that emphasizes the augmented shell (1-3-♯5-♭7).
- Abstract melodic lines that move in symmetrical leaps of major thirds and tritones.
In practice
To hear the effect, play a C7 chord and change the 5 (G) to a G♯ (A♭) and the 4 to an F♯ (G♭). Notice how the sound becomes instantly more "spacey" and unresolved. The ♭7 (B♭) provides enough harmonic context to keep it feeling like a dominant chord.
When soloing, treat the ♯5 (A♭) and ♯4 (G♭) as your primary color tones. Because the intervals are so large and symmetrical, you can move motifs in major thirds (4 semitones) up or down the neck/keyboard and they will remain perfectly within the scale's logic.
