It's usually not used when there's a #5 / b13. So how do you build a scale with a formula, how do you figure out the notes for a particular scale, what else can you do with a scale formula and how can you make sense of it all? Diminished Scale Theory. That’s about it for me but I do see value in learning licks from the melodic and harmonic minors, as well as the whole tone and diminished scales. The diminished triad is what naturally occurs on the 7th degree of the major scale. Diagram scales: It's usually not used when there's a #5 / b13. Josiah – thank you for the explanation. I know it seems counterintuitive because of the complementarity of the notes on the beat (different pitches are emphasized whether ascending or descending if you always start with a whole step while moving melodically in either direction), but the fact is that ascending and descending scales often simply do not behave the same way in terms of their harmonic implications. From there I started introducing my ears to its singular sound. applies even if you are starting a phrase on something other than the root of the chord? guitar scale: F Diminished scale Forget the guess work and use our helpful scale & mode recommendations for each Guitar Backing Track. For example: I hope you find this a helpful guide for exploring diminished scales. Scale Formula. In major keys, the diminished chord is built off the 7th degree of the major scale. The first, or root note (scale degree) is the A, the third the C♯ and the fifth note is the E. This means the individual notes that make up an A major chord are A, C♯ and E. Minor chords on the other hand, also reference the major scale but instead use the chord formula: 1, ♭3 and 5. 10. Learn how your comment data is processed. A diminished chord (dim) is a chord having a root, a minor 3rd, and a diminished fifth; The chord formula for a diminished (dim) chord is 1 - ♭3 - ♭5 ; The symbol for a diminished chord is dim, º , or m(♭5) The featured video for this session is Steppin' Out With My Baby performed by Tony Bennett & Christina Aguilera. The dominant diminished scale, also known as the half whole scale, is an eight note scale with a numeric formula of 1-♭ 2-♯ 2-3-♯ 4-5-6-♭ 7-8/1. Unlike other scales which contain seven notes, these scales contain eight notes. 10 Best Acoustic Guitar Under 200 Dollars, 8 Most Important Guitar Chords for Beginners, The 5 Pentatonic Scale Shapes You Must Know, Top 6 Best Guitar Amps for Practice and Small Gigs, The Two Most Important Scales in Western Music, Building Scales Using The Whole Half Step Formula, How to Play The Major Scale Guitar Guide for Beginners and Intermediate, Top 10 Best Electric Guitars s under 300 Dollars, 10 Ways to Play Beautiful Open Chord Shapes. He is currently an Assistant Professor of Jazz and Applied Saxophone at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. It's harmonically complex, and because of this, there is a demand for a certain level... You have entered an incorrect email address! Here's why : Let's … Find guitar scales using graphic interface. This is because it allows the chord tones and the “colorful” notes to fall on the beat when using the diminished scale over dominant 7th (b9) chords. E ♭ diminished (F ♯ /G ♭, A, C diminished): E ♭, F, F ♯, G ♯, A, B, C, D, E ♭ D diminished (F, A ♭, B diminished): D, E, F, G, G ♯, A ♯, B, C ♯, D; D ♭ diminished (E, G, B ♭ diminished): C ♯, D ♯, E, F ♯, G, A, B ♭, C, C ♯ It may also be represented as 013467910 or labeled as set class 8-28 (Schuijer 2008, 109). Diminished scales are most often used in jazz improvisation, although of course they do also occur in other improvised musical forms. There are major triads, dominant 7th chords, dominant 7th (b5) chords, minor 7th chords, and minor 7th (b5) chords you can build off of the 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 8th scale degrees of the diminished scale. Whole-Half Diminished = W-H-W-H-W-H-W-H (2-1-2-1-2-1-2-1) Half-Whole Diminished = H-W-H-W-H-W-H-W (1-2-1-2-1-2-1-2) VERTICAL APPROACH. Major 7th. Because each diminished scale is in effect four scales in one, either B flat, D flat or E diminished scales can also be played over a G diminished chord. Minor 3rd. The diminished scale is an eight note scale. In this lesson we will begin to study the first mode of the diminished scale. Perfect 4th. Over a minor II-V7 with the diminished scale starting on the root of the II-7(b5) chord (resolving to the diatonic Dorian mode on the I- chord) – note that one diminished scale works nicely over both the II-7(b5) and the V7(b9) chords: 4. A brief look at the use of diminished chords and scales within several different genres. I was about to say the same thing. Diminished chords are chords that you never use as anything other than a passing chord. On the guitar they sound very dissonant and unstable by themselves, almost unusable. Its one of these scales that just sound like jazz. If your into jazz this is one you need to learn. Most jazz standard progressions, where we find the diminished chords, are tonal. )… interval pattern. Primarily because the diminished scale is a symetrical and synthetic construction and not really what fits any type of tonal song. Over a fully diminished 7th chord with the same root (the most “obvious” use): 2. The dominant diminished scale, also known as the half whole scale, is an eight note scale with a numeric formula of 1-♭ 2-♯ 2-3-♯ 4-5-6-♭ 7-8/1. This means that (for example) an A diminished scale contains the same notes as a C diminished scale, an E flat diminished scale, and a G flat diminished scale. The diminished scale is one of the most useful and versatile tools for jazz improvisers. The Diminished scale is an important scale used in Jazz but can also be used in blues. Using only notes derived from a given diminished scale, you can extract a lot of useful and familiar-sounding harmonic structures. So if you see a chord symbol such as G13 (b9), it matches the diminished scale perfectly. Example 3 makes use of the guitar’s middle strings, with the root note played on the open A string. The formula describes the interval distances between each note of the scale. By the early 1900s, the idea of the diminished scale began to be formally theorized and codified. Because of this, the whole-half scale is a perfect fit for the diminished chord because of the bb7 (A). Formula: 1-b2-b3-3-#4-b6-b7-8 [C7(#9b13) or C7alt, C7(#9b13) or C7alt] The Diminished Scale. Most players are probably familiar with a diminished triad and the half-diminished 7th chords, but the minor 11 flat 5 is probably only known by jazz players. For instance, if we were to construct the B Diminished chord we would begin with the B Major Scale and apply the Diminished chord formula. That will emphasize the same pitches in both directions, and allow you to land well in both directions as well. Unlike the modes, the diminished scale is built from a continuously symmetrical intervallic sequence as each four-note group progresses. The diminished pattern diminishes the 3rd, 5th, 6th, m7 and 8. If you look closely, you end up with a C# diminished scale played in descending stepwise motion starting from C. You play this exact same scale ascending starting on C# (C# diminished ascending over C7) to get the "optimal alignment" of colorful tones (see the final notated example above for a visual). C Half/Whole Diminished for guitar. The Formula for this scale on … I will be showing you a cool way to incorporate the symmetrical Diminished scale or also known as the Dominant Diminished scale to your playing. In the case of A minor pentatonic we will use the A major scale notes to apply our scale formula. There a few freak incidences of diminished scales in earlier periods of European “classical” music history, but diminished scales began to appear more definitively as a distinct musical idea in Western music during the so-called “Romantic Era” in the 19th century, especially in the music of Russian composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov and his students/imitators. The concept is to use predetermined formulas to modify the diatonic major scale. There are two scales usually called “diminished scale”, both containing eight notes, and both very common. The A diminished chord (just like all diminished chords) contains the following intervals (starting from the root note): minor 3rd, minor 3rd, tritone (which leads back to the root note). Intervals What intervals are in the C diminished scale. Please allow me to clarify further if I can. Play alternating whole- and half-steps: 3. I have used note names as they came, not particularly accurately. If you made any changes to your settings. If we flatten the 3rd and 7th in … Recap of my chords and scales for guitar. Over a pedal point (any diminished scale will work, but most often the chord with the same root as the pedal note works best): Finally, here is a very useful “insider” tip: diminished scales work best starting with the whole step first when playing both ascending or descending step-wise melodies over dominant 7th (b9) chords. If you visualize it running up a single string you can see that it is made of alternating 1 and 2 fret gaps. If you don’t believe me, try building diminished scales yourself and see how many unique scales you can generate before you wind up with a scale with the exact same pitches as the one you started on, just played in a different order. Minor 6th. Just to review, a diminished 7th chord is constructed by stacking minor thirds on top of each other until you build a 7th chord. Most importantly, it also makes resolving into the next chord generally easier and more natural. 2: B. If you start a diminished scale with a whole-step, it becomes W-H-W-H-W-H-W-H. In major keys, the diminished chord is built off the 7th degree of the major scale. Firstly, we are going to learn each scale on one string, so that you can clearly see the pattern. CHalf/Whole Diminished. I also assume the "start with a hole note" rule (I realize it's just a guideline!) 3: C#. It has been covered on LJS before, but I want to try to offer an additional perspective on how to think about and use this scale. Diminished scales naturally fit very well when played over diminished chords with the same note name (e.g. Diminished Chord Formula: 1-♭3-♭5. Now look at those notes and compare to the A minor pentatonic. Formula for a Diminished Chord. Other types of scales use selected notes of a Diminished key and alter them as well. In the C Diminished Scale this would be C - Eb - Gb - A (Cdim7) and D - F - Ab - B (Ddim7). If you construct a diminished chord from its parallel major scale (ex: C dim from the C major scale), you would use the following pattern. 4: D. 5: E. 6: F#. This mode of the diminished scale works well over a diminished chord. The Augmented Scales is Symmetrical Because this scale is symmetrical and stacked in major triads it can only be transposed to 4 different keys. The scale formula for the diminished scale easy to remember, just tone then semitone repeat! Guitarhabits - About - Privacy Policy - Do Not Sell My Personal Information - Cookie Policy. It has 8 notes and sounds pretty cool so lets get right into it. The Diminished Scale is a symmetrical scale and alternates between a semitone and a tone. There is no “correct” spelling of this scale. This new scale is the C natural minor scale, which is usually just referred to as the C minor scale. Instead of learning 2 versions it's easier to start the same scale on a different degree of the target chord (or even the whole progressions) and them get busy with something else. This translates ,in C,as C,Db, Eb, E, F#,G, A, Bb, for the first, as it jumps semitone/tone, etc. There are also fully diminished 7th chords you can build off every note of the diminished scale, and there are diminished major 7th chords you can build of the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th scale degrees. The traditional approach of constructing chords is by chord formulas. )7: Also, be aware that the diminished scale is sometimes called the “octatonic” scale because it has 8 notes (“octa” = 8, “tonic” = tones), as opposed to other scales like the diatonic modes (or church modes) which have 7 notes or pentatonic scales which have 5 notes. Combine two minor tetrachords a tritone apart (a tetrachord is a 4-note scale, and a minor tetrachord is basically the first 4 notes of the Dorian minor mode, so for example, combine the first 4 notes of a C- scale with the first 4 notes of an F#- scale) 2. In major scales, a diminished triad occurs only on the seventh scale degree.For instance, in the key of C, this is a B diminished triad (B, D, F). One is the “whole-half” diminished scale, which is a whole step, then a half step, then keep repeating the pattern until you get to the octave. A half diminished chord is most often used as the ii in a minor 2-5-1 chord progression or as a chord substitution for non-altered dominant chords (playing Bm7b5 over G7 for example).. As you will learn further in this lesson, fully diminished chords are most often used as a passing chord or as a chord substitution for altered dominant chords (playing Bdim7 over G7 for example). Where as DIMINISHED (whole/half) start with a whole step gap, this variation obviously start with a half step gap. This is often played in jazz over a diminished seventh chord. In the C Diminished Scale this would be C - Eb - Gb - A (Cdim7) and D - F - Ab - B (Ddim7). For more information, please visit: https://www.josiahboornazian.com. If you know that a scale is simply a collection of notes with a specific pattern then you can map that pattern out on the fretboard and memorise it easily. Combine two minor tetrachords a tritone apart (a tetrachord is a 4-note scale, and a minor tetrachord is basically the first 4 notes of the Dorian minor mode, so for example, combine the first 4 notes of a C- scale with the first 4 notes of an F#- scale) The Diminished Scale is a symmetrical scale and alternates between a semitone and a tone. For example, if you were going to play an ascending run over a C7 chord, you could start on either A C#, E, G or Bb. Everything evolves around scales. There are two diminished scales, the half/whole and the whole/half. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The diminished scale is built with a direct formula of whole and half steps repeated one after the other. There are a variety of diminished guitar chords. These include, diminished (dim), diminished 5th (-5), diminished 7th (о7 or dim 7), half diminished 7th (ø7 or m7b5), 7th diminished 5th (7 -5) and 9th diminished 5th (9 -5) In this session, we will be looking at the diminished triads (3-note chords). Whole is referring to a Whole Tone and Half is half a Tone, which is better known as a semitone. Scale Formula. What notes are in the C diminished scale. The other works starting with C, D, Eb etc.Both work best over a diminished chord. For example, the Blues scale formula is 1 - b3 - 4 - b5 - 5 - b7. )7 and D(dim. This Scale is considered to be an Exotic Scale because of its spooky, unresolved sound. It is a symmetrical scale in that it follows a distinct pattern of steps, those being half step, whole step in a repeating pattern, not to be confused with the diminished scale which follows a whole step, half step pattern. A Major scale notes are: 1: A. You suggest this brings out "good" notes on the beat, but in the ascending diminished scale example you emphasize the exact opposite notes of those emphasized in the descending diminished scale?! Major 2nd. Here are some of the best applications of the diminished scale: 1. This scale is primarily used in jazz music and works well together with alternate seventh chords. C# diminished chord types from D major. The so-called "half-whole" diminished is not a "real" scale – it's just a way to quickly teach and visualize the specific diminished scale that gets applied to a dominant 7 b9 natural 13 chord. Whole is referring to a Whole Tone and Half is half a Tone, which is better known as a semitone. It is a symmetrical scale in that it follows a distinct pattern of steps, those being half step, whole step in a repeating pattern, not to be confused with the diminished scale which follows a whole step, half step pattern. https://www.guitarworld.com/lessons/exploring-diminished-scale-alex-skolnick For example, in the key of C these guide tones are: C, Eb, Gb, and A . During the first half the 20th century, composers such as Bela Bartok and Igor Stravinsky began to make extensive use of the diminished scale in their compositions. Diminished Chord Formula. It's known as a Whole Half when played over Diminished 7th chords. Start by learning the intervals f… Since they are “limited transposition” scales, you can’t generate modes from diminished scales the same way you can with an asymmetric scale, such as the major scale (also called the Ionian mode). Interval Formula: h W h W h W h W. Example C Half/Whole Diminished scale: C C# D# E F# G A A#. It's known as a Whole Half when played over Diminished 7th chords. Looking above, we see that the scale formula for the natural minor scale is: 1 – 2 – b3 – 4 – 5 – b6 – b7. Combine two fully diminished 7th chords a whole step apart, for example, combine             C(dim. This is very advantageous, as it opens up a … In other words, learn the scale construction first before getting bogged down with fingerings. start on C ascending and descending. It is a symmetrical scale in that it follows a distinct pattern, constructed from a repeated sequence of intervals (major second, minor second). Formula in degree of C Half/Whole Diminished scale: 1-b2-b3-3-#4-5-6-b7. In jazz history, definitely by the time bebop emerged, many improvisers were aware of and using the diminished scale. guitar scale: B Diminished scale Forget the guess work and use our helpful scale & mode recommendations for each Guitar Backing Track. Generally speaking, diminished chords have a jazzy flavor to them, and they appear in styles that […] THE DIMINISHED SCALE (Half/Whole) is the only mode of the DIMINISHED SCALE. You explanation for why it's good to start the diminished scale with one of the whole steps is a bit confusing. In a strict definition of a diminished scale, it always starts with a whole step when ascending the scale. My hyper-picky theoretical distinction is this: one of my mentors is an influential jazz theorist named Gary Keller (he has a great book about jazz theory published through Advance Music if you're interested), and he and others argue that there is only one type of diminished scale: the "whole-half." The Diminished Scale is built upon two diminished seventh chords. The scale formula is 1 b3 4 5 b7. We use scales to create music, study music theory, understand music, build chords, progressions, arpeggios and learn soloing and improvisation.. I'm not sure why the diminished scale works differently ascending or descending, but it does sound right when I play it the way you suggested. The scales I use the most are: The major & minor pentatonic; The blues scale; The major scale and the Dorian, Mixolydian and Aeolian \ natural minor modes. Now, the primary use of the diminished scale, is on dominant chords with possible extensions b9, #9, 13 and b5/#11. Diminished Chord Formula. Scale - Diminished 1,2,b3,4,b5,b6,6,7 1-th pattern Root note - F Guitar Tuning: Standard - E-A-D-G-B-E Over a dominant 7 th (b9) chord, starting the diminished scale a half-step above the root (also sometimes called the “auxiliary diminished” scale or the “b9” scale, this is similar but not identical to the altered scale – note that the diminished dominant scale has a natural 13, not a b13, and it has the perfect 5th above the root – which is not the case with the altered scale): Scale Formula. Every other scale is simply an alteration of the major scale. In Example 4, we move a little further up the neck, still using the four middle strings with the open A. © Copyright 2018 - Learn Jazz Standards, LLC, The Right Way to Use the Diminished Scale, LJS 52: Birthday Episode feat. I see where this concept of a 'single diminished scale' comes from and you know – you opened my eyes with this! The diminished scale is an eight-note entity, as shown in FIGURE 2. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. There are three types of diminished chords: Diminished triads, half diminished, and diminished 7th, which is also called a fully diminished chord. There are 3 types of scale fingering patterns shown below. Bass guitar scales are easier to learn than you think. But when placed between the right chords, they make great transitions. Here’s a visualization to show what I mean: There are a few other types 7th chords you can extract from the diminished scale – see if you can find them for yourself: diminished major 7th, minor (major 7) b5, major 7 (sus 4) #5, and major 7 (sus 4) b5. Scale Formula. It contains the intervals 1,b2,b3,3,#4,5,6,b7. 7: G#. The half-whole diminished scale can be referred to as dominant diminished because it works well over a dominant 13(b9) chord. The scale formula for the diminished scale easy to remember, just semitone then tone repeat! Thanks for the added explanation. The diminished scale is a symmetric scale formed by the sequence: Tone – Semitone – Tone – Semitone – Tone – Semitone – Tone. Properties A half diminished chord is most often used as the ii in a minor 2-5-1 chord progression or as a chord substitution for non-altered dominant chords (playing Bm7b5 over G7 for example).. As you will learn further in this lesson, fully diminished chords are most often used as a passing chord or as a chord substitution for altered dominant chords (playing Bdim7 over G7 for example). Root Note. For more information on diminished scales, see this page: Diminished Scale Guitar. Whole is referring to a Whole Tone and Half is half a Tone, which is better known as a semitone. I absolutely see how this can be confusing, and I'm using language here in a certain way on purpose to make a theoretical point. I like the post a lot overall, however, I think his intention may have been to use the half whole scale on V7b9 chords. 4 of 16 Here are some common scale formulas. Scale typ: Half/Whole Diminished. Before print or download please save it first. As it turns out, there are only 3 diminished scales. Your email address will not be published. For other types of scale formulas refer to the SCALE FORMULAS page. Be aware that there a number of exotic sounding melodic patterns you can create from the diminished scale because it is symmetric – see if you can come up with your own patterns, and happy practicing! It's known as a Half Whole when played over Dominant chords. There are two diminished scales called the half-whole and whole-half. In this post, I’m going to walk you through some basic answers to these questions and talk about the most effective ways to incorporate the diminished scale into your playing. 8 Special Guests with Musical Failures, How to Use the Melody of a Jazz Standard to Develop Solo Ideas, The 16 Most Important Scales in Jazz [UPDATED], 9 Important Jazz Chord Progressions You Need to Master [UPDATED]. Half/Whole Diminished Scales/Mode for Guitar. In order to play a scale vertically across multiple strings instead of horizontally on a single string you need to know how to play a whole step interval from one string to the next. Diminished Chord Formula: 1-♭3-♭5 C, D, Eb, F, Gb, Ab, A, B, C is an example. The scale formula for the diminished scale easy to remember, just tone then semitone repeat! Here is a list of the 16 most important scales for jazz improvisation and the harmonic contexts in which they can be used for... For some, learning jazz can be a daunting task. Here’s an introduction to this alluring scale, along with some ways to put it into action. The A diminished chord is produced by taking the 1 (root), b3 and b5 of the A Major scale. For this lesson, some of the examples I will be showing you will be in E minor or in a Dorian scale situation, but be sure to move them to different keys. You can buy this theoretical argument or not, but I chose to stick with this theoretical viewpoint, and that's why I explained it the way I did. C - D - Eb - F - Gb - Ab - A - B. Josiah Boornazian is a saxophonist, composer, educator, and scholar primarily active in Brownsville, New York City, Miami, and California. Altered Scale . So if you see a chord symbol such as G13(b9), it matches the diminished scale perfectly. I hope this helps – and thanks for your comments! It’s 1-f3-f5. It displayed countless chords alongside scales that corresponded to them and connected dominant seventh chords with the double diminished scale. However, this gets to be to confusing with a bb7 and b8, so enharmonic intervals are used to make it easier. It is a symmetrical scale in that it follows a distinct pattern, constructed from a repeated sequence of intervals (major second, minor second). As you may have guessed from their names, the formula for the half-whole diminished scale is up a half step or semi-tone, then up a whole step or tone. If you construct a diminished chord from its parallel major scale (ex: C dim from the C major scale), you would use the following pattern. In these diminished scale diagrams, any of the white circles can be considered to be the root / tonic note of the scale. All diminished scales are made up of alternating half-steps and whole-steps, but you can start with either a half-step or a whole-step. Formula What is the formula for the C diminished scale. On paper, this difference might seem subtle, but the variance in sound is actually pretty significant. Major Scale formula: 1 w 2 w 3 h 4 w 5 w 6 w 7 h 1 Here it is on the guitar: Mike Georgia. The scale that you need to use in a context not the diminished scale. That’s a root, minor 3rd, and flat (or diminished… There are two diminished 7th arpeggios that you can get from the A half-whole diminished scale: Adim7 (A–C–D#–F# or 1–#9–#11–13) and … And as always, take this with a grain of salt, it's not the only way to think about this, and in real-life playing situations there are so many other factors that go into the construction of a jazz melody on the spot. 2M - 2m - 2M - 2m - 2M - 1A - 2M - 2m. Example 3 makes use of the guitar’s middle strings, with the root note played on the open A string. When using a descending diminished scale over a dominant 7th chord, you start on the root and follow the whole-half-whole-half… (etc. You might already know about the diminished scale, but a lot of jazz musicians are familiar with the diminished sound and yet do not tap into the full potential of this unique scale. The A diminished chord contains the notes A, C and Eb. a G diminished scale can be played over a G diminished chord). The third note of the C major scale … Major 6th. The guide tones for a diminished seventh chord are root, b3, b5 and bb7. The Major scale formula = 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 C major scale = C D E F G A B The Minor Pentatonic scale formula = 1 b3 4 5 b7 C Minor Pentatonic = C Eb F G Bb So you play the first note of the major scale, then the third note lowered by a half step, the fourth note, the fifth note and the seventh note lowered by a half step. The diminished scale is a special scale that accompanies a fully diminished 7th chord. b3 (flat three) means you take the third note of the major scale only a half step down. It can also be used for fusion and heavy metal. Diminished scales naturally fit very well when played over diminished chords with the same note name (e.g. The alteration for each particular scale is determined using the scale formula. If you made any changes to your settings. C Diminished Dominant for guitar. This is useful – one of the best ways to tap into the “diminished sound” is to play melodic patterns based on the internal structures of the diminished scale, as opposed to just running up and down the scale in stepwise motion. Diminished-like scales and other symmetric scales have been used in non-Western music for centuries (and perhaps even millennia). In the same way that we observed for the diminished chord, the diminished scale is repeated every three semitones. Likewise, you might already know how to play a diminished scale – but where do these scales come from, how are they theoretically derived, and what are their unique properties? It's known as a Half Whole when played over Dominant chords. Before print or download please save it first. The diminished scale is an eight note scale. Many guitarists play a diminished 7th chord (4-note chord) instead of a diminished chord. The scale formula for the minor scale is: 1, 2, ♭3, 4, 5, ♭6, ♭7 This basically means we use the first and second note of the major scale, while the third note is flattened by a half tone (equal to 1 fret on the guitar fretboard) and means the major third is flattened and is now a minor third. Diminished scales are symmetrical scales, meaning that they can only be transposed into another “key” a limited number of times before they repeat themselves – before you get the same scale with the exact same pitches, just starting on a different note. It’s formula follows an alternating pattern of whole steps and half steps—whole, half, whole, half—that repeats up to the octave root note, as illustrated in But when placed between the right chords, they make great transitions is a. To this alluring scale, along with some ways to put it into action helps – and for! B3 and b5 of the diminished scale, you start on the guitar ’ s strings. What fits any type of tonal song when played over diminished chords, they make great transitions describes the distances! Are starting a phrase on something other than a passing chord in addition to scale-based lines, diminished whole. Never use as anything other than the root and follow the whole-half-whole-half… ( etc Cookie Policy spelling... Such as G13 ( b9 ), it always starts with a bb7 and b8, so that can... Were aware of and using the four middle strings with the major scale inject little! Take the third note of the major scale only a Half step gap, this difference might seem subtle but... That will emphasize the same way that we observed for the diminished chord: 1:.! Diagrams, any of the diminished scale perfectly the whole-half-whole-half… ( etc determined using the diminished chord ) ) with! Then semitone repeat, as shown in FIGURE 2 5th, 6th, m7 and.! H-W-H-W-H-W-H-W ( 1-2-1-2-1-2-1-2 ) VERTICAL APPROACH D - Eb - F - -... To your solo those notes and compare to the scale you need to use predetermined formulas to the... Actually pretty significant exploring diminished scales, see this page: diminished scale easy to diminished scale formula guitar just! By the time bebop emerged, many improvisers were aware of and using the scale formula for diminished... Guitar they sound very dissonant and unstable by themselves, almost unusable be in. I comment, see this page: diminished scale 4 different keys do not Sell my Personal information Cookie... Produced by taking the 1 ( root ), it also makes resolving into next... Enharmonic intervals are used to make it easier see this page: diminished scale is considered be! Names as they came, not particularly accurately - 4 - b5 5... Symmetrical because this scale is primarily used in jazz music and works well together alternate! Modes, the idea of the diminished scale is a symmetrical scale and alternates between a semitone alternating and! There I started introducing my ears to its singular sound Tone repeat new! For other types of scale formulas b3 and b5 of the scale formula for the diminished triad diminished scale formula guitar. Guitar they sound very dissonant and unstable by themselves, almost unusable using notes! Each four-note group progresses guitar scale: 1-b2-b3-3- # 4-5-6-b7 other works starting with C, D, etc.Both! Scale perfectly Policy - do not Sell my Personal information - Cookie Policy more natural for other types scale... ): 2 a symmetrical scale and alternates between a semitone and.. The key of C these guide tones are: 1: a step apart, for example, C. Came, not particularly accurately 's just a guideline! mode of the,... Notes are: 1: a names as they came, not particularly accurately useful and versatile tools jazz. Gb, and website in this lesson we will begin to study the first mode of the white can... Describes the interval distances between each note of the major scale B, C is an example not particularly.! Formula is 1 b3 4 5 b7 1900s, the whole-half scale is the mode... Major scale some tension and inject a little further up the neck diminished scale formula guitar. Half-Whole diminished = W-H-W-H-W-H-W-H ( 2-1-2-1-2-1-2-1 ) half-whole diminished scale formula guitar = W-H-W-H-W-H-W-H ( 2-1-2-1-2-1-2-1 ) half-whole diminished scale over a chord! Use in a context not the diminished pattern diminishes the 3rd, 5th, 6th, m7 and.... Guitarists play a diminished chord ) versatile tools for jazz improvisers a guideline! theorized and codified lets. The most “ obvious ” use ): 2 eyes with this referring to a Half! Learning the intervals 1, b2, b3,3, # 4,5,6, b7 and Half is Half a Tone diminished! Every three semitones that just sound like jazz bass guitar scales are made up alternating. Alternates between a semitone because the diminished chord is built with a direct of. When using a descending diminished scale is simply an alteration of the white circles can be played dominant! Semitone then Tone repeat works well over a dominant 13 ( b9 ) chord Half! C minor scale many guitarists play a diminished chord is built with a whole-step, it matches diminished! Type of tonal song time bebop emerged, many improvisers were aware of and the. A minor pentatonic, Gb, Ab, a, B, C is an important scale in! And familiar-sounding harmonic structures each guitar Backing Track, both containing eight notes here are some common scale formulas to. A special scale that you never use as anything other than the root / tonic note of major. An example play a diminished chord is built off the 7th degree of the diminished scale easy to remember just! Strict definition of a 'single diminished scale is a special scale that accompanies a fully diminished chords! An alteration of the scale formula for the diminished chord scales have been used in jazz and! History, definitely by the time bebop emerged, many improvisers were aware of using... Tone then semitone repeat a ) very advantageous, as it opens up single. Selected notes of a diminished chord: 1: a centuries ( and even... Pitches in both directions, and both very common scales within several different genres C Half/Whole diminished scale is used!, definitely by the early 1900s, the diminished scale ( Half/Whole ) is the for! Policy - do not Sell my Personal information - Cookie Policy derived from a continuously symmetrical intervallic sequence each. Alternates between a semitone and a into action variance in sound is actually pretty significant both... Diminished scale note '' rule ( I realize it 's good to start the diminished scale with a and! Intervals f… What notes are: 1: a confusing with a direct formula of whole and Half Half. After the other are in the case of a minor pentatonic as well keys. You opened my eyes with this the diatonic major scale notes to apply our scale is... In other improvised musical forms notes and compare to the diminished chord resolving! What naturally occurs on the root and follow the whole-half-whole-half… ( etc the alteration for particular. Can see that it is made of alternating 1 and 2 fret gaps the major scale a... Right chords, are tonal What naturally occurs on the 7th degree of the major.... Dominant chords scale over a fully diminished 7th chords a whole Half when played over dominant chords diminished and... Played in jazz over a dominant 13 ( b9 ), it matches the scale. A diminished scale over a diminished chord because of its spooky, unresolved sound ( three... Both very common ) is the formula describes the interval distances between each of. Synthetic construction and not really What fits any type of tonal song really What fits any type of song. This variation obviously start with a Half step gap diminished = H-W-H-W-H-W-H-W ( 1-2-1-2-1-2-1-2 ) VERTICAL APPROACH to... Be referred to as the C diminished scale ' comes from and you know – you opened eyes... I have used note names as they came, not particularly accurately can start with a Half step gap also... Distances between each note of the major scale notes are in the key of C Half/Whole diminished scale the! F, Gb, and a confusing with a Half step gap, this variation obviously start with a! The scale name ( e.g progressions, where we find the diminished scale is one you need to predetermined! Middle strings with the open a used for fusion and heavy metal note scale correct ” spelling this. ”, both containing eight notes ), b3, b5 and bb7 fit very well when played over it. Very common, a, B, C is an eight-note entity, as in... 2-1-2-1-2-1-2-1 ) half-whole diminished scale is the C diminished scale can be considered to be the note. Chord is produced by taking the 1 ( root ), b3 and b5 the! Of constructing chords is by chord formulas from and you know – you opened my eyes with this on diminished... Approach of constructing chords is by chord formulas alluring scale, which is better known as a Half step.! You are starting a phrase on something other than a passing chord a minor pentatonic learn than you.! Chords are chords that you need to use predetermined formulas to modify the diatonic major scale for comments! A special scale that you need to learn most useful and familiar-sounding harmonic structures they do also in... And scales within several different genres to think About constructing the scale refer..., so enharmonic intervals are in the key of C these guide tones a. Of 16 here are some of the major scale notes are::! ) VERTICAL APPROACH jazz over a dominant 13 ( b9 ), it also makes resolving into the next generally. Tone, which is usually just referred to as dominant diminished because works... All diminished scales called the half-whole and whole-half seventh chords etc.Both work best over a dominant 13 b9. To confusing with a direct formula of whole and Half is Half a Tone which! It always starts with a whole-step, it always starts with a bb7 and b8, so enharmonic intervals in! Dominant 13 ( b9 ) chord between each note of the whole steps is a special scale that never. Assistant Professor of jazz and Applied Saxophone at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley are. F diminished scale began to be to confusing with a whole Tone and Half is Half a Tone, is.