THEORY HELPERA Diminished (Half-Whole) Scale
Dominant diminished, jazz
What is the A Diminished (Half-Whole) Scale?
The Half-Whole Diminished scale is the mode of the Whole-Half that works over dominant 7th chords. By starting with a half step, it provides all the tensions (b9, #9, #11, 13) for a dominant 7th chord.
Interval Pattern: H-W-H-W-H-W-H-W
Scale Notes and Intervals
A Diminished (Half-Whole)
TenseA 1
Bb 2
C 3
C# 4
Eb 5
E 6
F# 7
G 8
Notes:
A -Bb -C -C# -Eb -E -F# -G
Intervals:
HWHWHWH W
Keyboard Visualization
How to Play A Diminished (Half-Whole) on Piano
Scale Properties
Mood
TenseCharacter
Dominant diminished, jazzGenres
Jazz, FusionNotes in Scale
8 notes: A, Bb, C, C#, Eb, E, F#, GCategory
SymmetricIntervals
H-W-H-W-H-W-H-WHistory and Origins
The Background of the Diminished (Half-Whole) Scale
Jazz musicians discovered that starting the diminished scale on a half step created perfect tensions for dominant 7th chords. It became a cornerstone of bebop and modern jazz vocabulary.
Musical Characteristics
Key Features of the A Diminished (Half-Whole) Scale
- Eight notes alternating H-W
- Perfect for dominant 7th alterations
- Contains b9, #9, #11, and natural 13
- Symmetrical structure
Famous Songs Using This Scale
Popular Tracks in A Diminished (Half-Whole)
- Giant Steps - John Coltrane (specific passages)
- Cherokee (bebop solos)
- Moment's Notice - John Coltrane
Playing Tips
How to Practice the A Diminished (Half-Whole) Scale
Use over dominant 7th chords, especially those resolving to minor. Contains all the "altered" sounds plus natural 5 and 13. The symmetry means one fingering works in four keys.
Circle of Fifths Position
A in the Circle of Fifths
Major
Minor
Selected