Whole tone scale |

Whole tone scale, whole-tone mode, whole-tone mode, – a scale, the steps of which form a sequence of whole tones.

Combines the sounds of a system called the whole-tone (or whole-tone) mode. It is also used for figuration SW. triad, altered D7. Often has a bizarre, frozen, devoid of warmth character.

C. Debussy. Piano Preludes, No 2, “Sails”, bars 9-14.

An early example of the Central G. is in the 3rd movement of Mozart’s Musical Jest (K.-V. 522); subsequently finds application in the music of M. I. Glinka, A. S. Dargomyzhsky, A. P. Borodin, N. A. Rimsky-Korsakov, K. Debussy, V. I. Rebikov and others. Symmetrical modes, Fretted rhythm.

References: see at Art. Symmetrical frets.

Yu. N. Kholopov