Whole Tone Scale

Whole Tone Scale

Author: Dr. Bob Lawrence June 16, 2020 Duration: 58:24

Welcome to JazzPianoSkills; a unique Jazz Piano Program dedicated to introducing aspiring jazz pianists to essential Jazz Piano skills. Each Podcast Episode will help you successfully Discover, Learn, and Play a specific Jazz Piano skill.

This Jazz Piano Lesson will help you Discover, Learn, Play the Symmetrical Altered Whole Tone Scale. In this jazz piano lessons you will:

  1. Discover: The Symmetrical Altered Whole Tone Scale
  2. Learn: How to construct the Whole Tone Scale 
  3. Play: The Whole Tone Scale using various entry and destination points

For maximum musical growth, be sure to download the Podcast Guides for this Jazz Piano Lesson.

All three Podcast Guides are designed to help you gain a functional command of the Whole Tone Scale. The Podcast Guides are invaluable educational tools to have at your side and finger-tips while studying and practicing JazzPianoSkills.

You can listen to this Podcast Episode at JazzPianoSkills and have access to the SpeakPipe Widget that allows you to speak immediately and directly to Dr. Bob Lawrence. Ask your questions, get answers, and interact one-on-one with Dr. Lawrence.

EPISODE OUTLINE:

  1. The Whole Tone Scale
    1. Top Ten List of Fun Facts
  2. Demo 1
    1. C7 Altered 5th
      1. 6 Entry Points, One Chord
    2. One Scale
      1. 6 Dominant Chords
  3. Demo 2
    1. II-V-I Key of F Major
      1. Ascending/Descending
        1. Minor Entry Point = Root
        2. Dominant Whole Tone Scale
        3. Major Destination Point = Ascending, 3rd
        4. Major Destination Point = Descending, Root
  4. Demo 3
    1. II-V-I Key of F Major
      1. Ascending/Descending
        1. Minor Entry Point = 3rd
        2. Dominant Whole Tone Scale
        3. Major Destination Point = Ascending, 3rd
        4. Major Destination Point = Descending, Root
  5. Demo 4
    1. II-V-I Key of F Major
      1. Ascending/Descending
        1. Minor Entry Point = 5th
        2. Dominant Whole Tone Scale
        3. Major Destination Point = Ascending, Root
        4. Major Destination Point = Descending, 3rd
  6. Demo 5
    1. II-V-I Key of F Major
      1. Ascending/Descending
        1. Minor Entry Point = 7th
        2. Dominant Whole Tone Scale
        3. Major Destination Point = Ascending, 3rd
        4. Major Destination Point = Descending, 5th

Visit JazzPianoSkills.com for a comprehensive curriculum of jazz piano courses & lessons exploring essential jazz piano skills used by professional jazz pianists.

Thanks for being a JPS Podcast listener.

Support the show


There's a certain magic in hearing a great jazz pianist, a feeling that it's both complex and effortless. Jazz Piano Skills pulls back the curtain on that magic, transforming it into a clear, practical path forward. Hosted by Dr. Bob Lawrence, an educator and the President of The Dallas School of Music, this series feels less like a lecture and more like a series of private sessions. Each episode focuses on a tangible skill, breaking down the theory, harmony, and technique that define the jazz language. You'll hear Bob at the keyboard, demonstrating chord voicings, improvisational patterns, and rhythmic concepts, explaining the 'why' behind every note. Whether you're deciphering a standard or building a solo from scratch, the guidance is always rooted in practical application. This podcast is designed for those who want to move beyond simply playing notes on a page and start speaking through the instrument. It’s a deep, methodical exploration of the art form, offering structured lessons that build upon each other. Tune in and find your voice at the keys, learning directly from a professional whose teaching strips away the intimidation and fuels genuine musical growth.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 332

Jazz Piano Skills
Podcast Episodes
Dr. JB Dyas, Pt. 3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:55
Welcome to Jazz Piano Skills; I'm Dr. Bob Lawrence. It’s time to Discover, Learn, and Play jazz piano!I am thrilled to welcome back to Jazz Piano Skills, Dr. JB Dyas. Dr. JB Dyas has been a leader in jazz education for t…
Indiana (Back Home Again In), Improvisation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:04
Welcome to Jazz Piano Skills; it's time to discover, learn, and play Jazz Piano!Every Jazz Piano Skills weekly podcast episode introduces aspiring jazz pianists to essential Jazz Piano Skills. Each Podcast episode explor…
Indiana (Back Home Again In), Melodic Analysis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:12
Welcome to Jazz Piano Skills; it's time to discover, learn, and play Jazz Piano!Every Jazz Piano Skills weekly podcast episode introduces aspiring jazz pianists to essential Jazz Piano Skills. Each Podcast episode explor…
Indiana (Back Home Again In), Harmonic Analysis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:37
Welcome to Jazz Piano Skills; it's time to discover, learn, and play Jazz Piano!Every Jazz Piano Skills weekly podcast episode introduces aspiring jazz pianists to essential Jazz Piano Skills. Each Podcast episode explor…
Jazz Piano with Mark Davis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:23:09
Welcome to Jazz Piano Skills. It’s time to discover, learn, and play jazz piano!Today, I welcome to Jazz Piano Skills, jazz pianist, educator, and author Mark Davis. Mark has been a mainstay on the Milwaukee jazz scene f…
Learning Jazz Tunes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:10
Welcome to Jazz Piano Skills; it's time to discover, learn, and play Jazz Piano!Every Jazz Piano Skills weekly podcast episode introduces aspiring jazz pianists to essential Jazz Piano Skills. Each Podcast episode explor…
There Will Never Be Another You, Pt. 3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:57
Welcome to Jazz Piano Skills; it's time to discover, learn, and play Jazz Piano!Every Jazz Piano Skills weekly podcast episode introduces aspiring jazz pianists to essential Jazz Piano Skills. Each Podcast episode explor…
There Will Never Be Another You, Pt. 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:49
Welcome to Jazz Piano Skills; it's time to discover, learn, and play Jazz Piano!Every Jazz Piano Skills weekly podcast episode introduces aspiring jazz pianists to essential Jazz Piano Skills. Each Podcast episode explor…
There Will Never Be Another You, Pt. 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:55
Welcome to Jazz Piano Skills; it's time to discover, learn, and play Jazz Piano!Every Jazz Piano Skills weekly podcast episode introduces aspiring jazz pianists to essential Jazz Piano Skills. Each Podcast episode explor…
Jazz Piano Skills: Past and Future [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:23
Welcome to Jazz Piano Skills. It's time to discover, learn, and play jazz piano!Today’s podcast will be quite different from what I typically do regularly. We won’t study any specific jazz piano skill, analyze and digest…