Barry Harris taught that the whole-tone scale is one of the foundations of modern jazz harmony. He explained that the two whole-tone scales naturally create the three diminished seventh chords used in bebop improvisation. Barry Harris often described the whole-tone scales as the “parents” of diminished harmony and dominant movement. His concept connects scales, chords, and melodic motion into one complete harmonic system. The Barry Harris whole-tone approach continues to inspire jazz pianists seeking deeper understanding of bebop language.