I'm composing a 'Seaside Suite' for viola and my music teacher suggested that I use a whole tone scale to represent the waves. Does anyone know how I could harmonise this? And am I right in thinking that there are two versions of the whole tone scale? Also, would it be good to write the waves piece in 6/8 time, like a Barcarolle?

You have quite a selection of Harmonic intervals that you can use with the whole tone scale i.e. Maj 2nds, Maj 3rds, Augmented 4ths, 5ths and 6ths as well as incorporating other appogiatura type harmonies. Use of the whole tone scale alongside augmented chords will definately give a feeling of floating in water with their unresolved quality. Sounds like fun anyway. The main thing is dont be afraid to try things out even if they dont sound right at first. It's amazing what you can get away with with regards to tension and resolution in music. Good Luck!!

Gae

Thanks, that's great! My suite is going to be quite 'Pictures at an Exhibition-y' with a different variation of the waves between each movement to show off the different characteristics of the viola. Does anyone have any ideas for variations?

Yes, one consisting of C D E F# G# A# and the other C# D# F G A B (or flat equivalents). More people tend to know the chromatic scale which is all semitones - just take alternate notes from it to construct a whole tone scale.

i don't like to suggest listening to other pieces in case they influence someone's own efforts but debussy's prelude no 2, book 1, voiles, is a seaside piece written in whole-tone.

another debussy is l'ile joyeuse, although not completely in whole tone.

Just about anything by Debussy will suffice! He must have been on another planet when he was writing as his music floats everywhere!

opium, more like! [same difference, i s'pose]

Thanks, those are great but does anyone have any ideas for variations that would show off characteristics of the viola?

Use the violas lovely warm tone colour. Write something that exploits its lower notes rather than its top end.

Look at Piston - Orchestration. Its always a good place to start when you're trying to get the best out of an instrument.