Because of inherent pattern repetition, extended whole-tone passages are difficult to sustain. For the sake of interest, one should consider increased use of texture, timbre, rhythm and other variables such as transposition. While full of redundancy, the whole tone scale also produces vivid and memorable colors, making its use an effective diversion.

The whole-tone scale contains a few memorable thematic protocells that can be replicated on every step of the scale. 1-3-4 is the melodic inversion of 1-2-4. 1-2-3-4 and 1-2-4-5 are identical to their melodic inversions; that is, they map onto themselves.