Diminished Scale Patterns

The diminished scale is a symmetrical scale. Its construction limits the possible number of diminished scales to 3. Because the scale is symmetrical, a diminished scale will contain the notes of any diminished scale built from any of its tones.

Although there are only three diminished scales, and although the scales are symmetrical, every one of the 12 notes in the chromatic scale is a member of two out of three of those scales. That means that before you run off and try to play a “G diminished scale”, you want to be sure of whether the scale is a half-whole diminished, or whole-half diminished.

The diminished scale is useful for diminished chords, and also sometimes dominant chords.

Notice that these scales are very nearly the same scale. It is not practical to learn two different fingerings for the scale; just focus on how to link what you’re playing to one of these patterns as required.

Both scales will use position shifts.

G^dim7 (half-whole)

Start the pattern on the third finger to prepare for the position shift.

G^dim7 (whole-half)

Key Exercises

• Learn, memorize, and apply the scales.
• Create a chord progression that uses diminished seventh chords.
• Use the scale to improvise along the progression of diminished chords.