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
1C#root
b2Dminor 2nd
#2Eaug 2nd
3E#major 3rd
#4Gaug 4th
5G#perfect 5th
6A#major 6th
b7Bminor 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
- C#HDWEHE#WGHG#WA#HB
Tensions & resolutions
Stable degrees
IC#point of resttonic
IIIE#defines modal qualitythird
VG#supports the tonic sonorityfifth
Typical resolutions & tensions
IC#C#
IIDD
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.