Whole Tone: A musical scale in which each note is separated by an interval of a whole step. This scale lacks semitones and consists of six notes, creating a distinct, ambiguous sound.
Context and Significance
The whole tone scale is significant in music for its unique, ethereal sound, often described as dreamy or otherworldly. It is commonly used in impressionistic music to evoke a sense of mystery and fluidity. Composers like Claude Debussy have used this scale to break away from traditional tonal structures, favoring its ability to produce a blurred, unresolved character. In modern genres, such as jazz, the whole tone scale is used to create tension and color within improvisations and compositions.
Historical Background
The concept of the whole tone scale gained prominence during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, largely due to the works of French composers like Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel. Its origins can be traced back to earlier music, but it was during this period that it became a hallmark of the impressionist movement. This scale offered composers a tool to move away from the rigid structures of the classical era, allowing for more tonal experimentation and expression.
Examples
Claude Debussy’s piece “Voiles” from his first book of Preludes is a quintessential example of the whole tone scale in action, where it is used to create a sense of fluidity and ambiguity. In jazz, the whole tone scale is frequently used by musicians like Thelonious Monk in improvisation, providing a non-traditional harmonic backdrop that challenges the listener’s expectations. It is also employed in film scores to evoke an eerie or dream-like atmosphere.
Related Terms
Diatonic Scale: A seven-note scale with five whole steps and two half steps.
Chromatic Scale: A twelve-note scale consisting entirely of semitones.
Impressionism: A musical movement characterized by a focus on atmosphere and color, often using scales like the whole tone scale.
« Back to Glossary Index