Root & scale

Ab half-whole diminished

A♭

I

B𝄫

bII

C♭

bIII

C

III

D

#IV

E♭

V

F

VI

G♭

bVII

Fretboard positions

select a scale fingering system to highlight fretting positions

E4
F
G♭
G
A♭
B𝄫
B♭
C♭
C
D♭
D
E♭
E
F
G♭
G
A♭
B𝄫
B♭
C♭
C
D♭
D
E♭
C♭3
C
D♭
D
E♭
E
F
G♭
G
A♭
B𝄫
B♭
C♭
C
D♭
D
E♭
E
F
G♭
G
A♭
B𝄫
B♭
G3
A♭
B𝄫
B♭
C♭
C
D♭
D
E♭
E
F
G♭
G
A♭
B𝄫
B♭
C♭
C
D♭
D
E♭
E
F
G♭
D3
E♭
E
F
G♭
G
A♭
B𝄫
B♭
C♭
C
D♭
D
E♭
E
F
G♭
G
A♭
B𝄫
B♭
C♭
C
D♭
B𝄫2
B♭
C♭
C
D♭
D
E♭
E
F
G♭
G
A♭
B𝄫
B♭
C♭
C
D♭
D
E♭
E
F
G♭
G
A♭
E2
F
G♭
G
A♭
B𝄫
B♭
C♭
C
D♭
D
E♭
E
F
G♭
G
A♭
B𝄫
B♭
C♭
C
D♭
D
E♭
1
2
3
4
5
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9
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Listen to the Ab half-whole diminished scale

bpm: 120
start at and

How to use the Ab half-whole diminished scale

The Half-Whole Diminished scale is an eight-note symmetrical scale used in jazz and classical music. It alternates between half steps and whole steps, creating a unique and dissonant sound.

tip
  • The Half-Whole Diminished scale is symmetrical, alternating between half and whole steps. Use it over dominant 7th chords with altered tensions, common in jazz and fusion.
  • Focus on the scale's diminished 5th (bV) and sharp 9th (bII#) to create tension and harmonic color in jazz improvisation.
  • Incorporate the Half-Whole Diminished scale over V7 chords in ii-V-I progressions to create angular, dissonant lines that resolve to tonic chords.
  • Practice using this scale to navigate diminished and altered dominant chords, where its symmetrical intervals allow for chromatic, flowing lines.
  • Blend this scale with diminished arpeggios or whole-tone scales to explore further chromaticism in jazz solos or avant-garde compositions.