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
Stationary Improvisation, Pt. 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:31
This Jazz Piano Lesson will help you discover, learn, and play Stationary Improvisation using Cyclical Quadruplet Patterns. Be sure to Download the Podcast Guide for this podcast that musically notates various Cyclical Q…
Stationary Improvisation, Pt. 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:22
This Jazz Piano Lesson will help you discover, learn, and play Stationary Improvisation using Cyclical Quadruplet Patterns. Be sure to Download the Podcast Guide for this podcast that musically notates 16 Cyclical Quadru…
Practice Minor Sound, Melodically [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:58
This Jazz Piano Lesson will help you discover, learn, and play the Minor Sound, Melodically using scale and arpeggio motion that includes the entire sound from the root to the 13th. Be sure to Download the Podcast Guide…
Altered Dominant Voicings [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:57
This Jazz Piano Lesson will help you discover, learn, and play the Altered Dominant Voicings commonly used by professional jazz pianists. Be sure to Download the Podcast Guide for this podcast that musically notates the…
Altered Dominant Scales [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:35
This Jazz Piano Lesson will help you discover, learn, and play the Altered Dominant Scales commonly used by professional jazz pianists. Be sure to Download the Podcast Guide for this podcast that musically notates the Al…
Inversions & Improvisation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:49
This Jazz Piano Lesson will help you discover, learn, and play Inversions for Improvisation preparation. Inverted Arpeggios for the C Chord Family will be demonstrated (C Major, C Dominant, C Minor, C Half Diminished, C…
Contemporary Shell Voicings [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:01
This Jazz Piano Lesson will help you discover, learn, and play Contemporary Shell Voicings for the primary sounds of music (Major, Dominant, Minor, Half Diminished, Diminished). Two voicing options are constructed for ea…
Traditional Shell Voicings [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:02
This Jazz Piano Lesson will help you discover, learn, and play Traditional Shell Voicings for the primary sounds of music (Major, Dominant, Minor, Half Diminished, Diminished). Two voicing options are constructed for eac…
Chords By Key [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:22
This jazz piano lesson will help you discover, learn, and play basic 7th chords arranged by Keys. The five primary sounds of music (Major, Dominant, Minor, Half Diminished, and Diminished) are constructed using the seven…
Chords By Family [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:31
This jazz piano lesson will help you discover, learn, and play basic 7th chords. The five primary sounds of music (Major, Dominant, Minor, Half Diminished, and Diminished) are constructed using a family approach. Two cho…