Notes and intervals
Whole step (whole tone)
A whole step, or whole tone, is an interval of two semitones, also called a major second: on the guitar it is two frets on the same string, as from C to D.
What is a whole step in music?
A whole step is an interval of two semitones, which means two frets on the same string. From C (5th string, 3rd fret) to D (5th fret) you move up a whole step. It is also called a major second.
American musicians say whole step, British musicians say whole tone: same distance, two names. Half of it is a half step, one fret.
How do you play a whole step on the fretboard?
There are three ways to go up a whole step in standard tuning:
- Same string: two frets higher. A at the 5th fret of the 6th string, B at the 7th.
- Next string up: three frets lower. G at the 3rd fret of the 6th string, then the open A string; C at the 3rd fret of the 5th string, then the open D string.
- From the 3rd to the 2nd string: only two frets lower, because of the G-B tuning. A at the 2nd fret of the 3rd string, then the open B string.
The second shape is how scales stay in one position without moving your hand.
Why whole steps shape every scale
The major scale follows the pattern whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half. Play it on one string to see it: on the 2nd string, C at the 1st fret, then frets 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 13 (C, D, E, F, G, A, B, C).
The natural minor scale follows whole, half, whole, whole, half, whole, whole. On the 5th string: open (A), then frets 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10 and 12 (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, A). Swap a single whole step for a half step and you get a different mode: that is why intervals matter so much.
The whole-tone scale uses only whole steps: C, D, E, F#, G#, A#. On the 5th string, frets 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13. Its floating sound fits augmented chords like C7#5.
Exercise: the whole-step bend
The whole-step bend is the workhorse of rock and blues lead playing. In the A minor pentatonic at the 5th fret, play D at the 7th fret of the 3rd string and push the string up until you hear E. To check, play E at the 9th fret of the same string first: your bend must land exactly on that pitch.
Alternate slowly between the reference note (9th fret) and the bend (7th fret), pushing with three fingers. In the guitar scales and chords tool, show the pentatonic in interval view to find other notes that bend a whole step, like the minor seventh up to the root (G to A, 8th fret of the 2nd string).
Key takeaways
- One whole step = two semitones = two frets on the same string.
- On the next string up: three frets lower (two between the 3rd and 2nd strings).
- The major scale is whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half.
- A whole-step bend must sound like the note two frets higher.
Frequently asked questions
Is a whole step the same as a major second?
In practice yes: C to D, E to F#, A to B are all major seconds, each a whole step. The interval name depends on spelling, though: C to E♭♭ is also two semitones but is called a diminished third.
How many frets is a whole-step bend?
Two. A whole-step bend must reach the note two frets higher on the same string. A half-step bend matches one fret, and a one-and-a-half-step bend matches three.
Which natural notes are a whole step apart?
C-D, D-E, F-G, G-A and A-B. The other two pairs, E-F and B-C, are only a half step apart. That mix of whole and half steps is what gives the C major scale its sound.
Related terms
Practise in the workshop
Take it from theory to the fretboard
Open the workshop tools and see this idea across the whole neck. Free account, no card needed.