C Diminished (half–whole)
An eight-note symmetric half–whole scale; its altered degrees create a tense dominant sound.
Octaves
Musical context
How the scale relates to the chord, mode, key and progression.
Theory
General info
- Name
- C Diminished (half–whole)
- Family
- Symmetric scales
- Note count
- 8
- Step formula
- H – W – H – W – H – W – H – W
- Numeric formula
- 0-1-2-1-2-1-2-1-2
Notes & degrees
1Croot
b2Dbminor 2nd
#2D#aug 2nd
3Emajor 3rd
#4F#aug 4th
5Gperfect 5th
6Amajor 6th
b7Bbminor 7th
Construction
- Overview
- An eight-note symmetric half–whole scale; its altered degrees create a tense dominant sound.
- Application in music
- Symmetric: the half–whole pattern repeats every minor third. Sits over dominant sevenths with b9 and #9 (V7b9).
- Interval formula
- CHDbWD#HEWF#HGWAHBb
Tensions & resolutions
Stable degrees
ICpoint of resttonic
IIIEdefines modal qualitythird
VGsupports the tonic sonorityfifth
Typical resolutions & tensions
ICC
IIDbDb
Scale degree 2 may descend to tonic; the motion is especially close when degree 2 is lowered.
This scale on guitar 🎸
See how C Diminished (half–whole) 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.