B Diminished scale
An eight-note symmetric whole–half scale; it repeats at the minor 3rd and outlines the diminished 7th chord.
Octaves
Musical context
How the scale relates to the chord, mode, key and progression.
Theory
General info
- Name
- B Diminished scale
- Family
- Symmetric scales
- Note count
- 8
- Step formula
- W – H – W – H – W – H – W – H
- Numeric formula
- 0-2-1-2-1-2-1-2-1
Notes & degrees
1Broot
2C#major 2nd
b3Dminor 3rd
4Eperfect 4th
b5Fdim 5th
b6Gminor 6th
6G#major 6th
7A#major 7th
Construction
- Overview
- An eight-note symmetric whole–half scale; it repeats at the minor 3rd and outlines the diminished 7th chord.
- Application in music
- Symmetric: the whole–half pattern repeats every minor third. Sits over diminished seventh chords (dim7).
- Interval formula
- BWC#HDWEHFWGHG#WA#
Tensions & resolutions
Stable degrees
IBnominal centretonic
IIIDdefines modal qualitythird
Typical resolutions & tensions
VIIA#A#
IBB
In typical voice leading, the leading tone rises by semitone to tonic.
IIIDD
IVEE
In a dominant context, scale degree 4 normally descends by step to 3.
IBB
IIC#C#
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.
This scale on guitar 🎸
See how B Diminished scale looks on guitar.
Circle of fifths
The major key on the same tonic and its neighbouring keys on the circle of fifths.
Connections
Practice
Keyboard Trainer
Reinforce it in practice — play and name notes on the interactive keyboard.