Diminished Scale

In a recent Fusio class I introduced the diminished scale. It’s a symmetrical scale that has two versions: whole/half and half/whole. This is a rich scale that is most easily found in classical music and jazz.

Whole-half

C D Eb F Gb Ab A B C

Half-whole

C Db Eb E F# G A Bb C

History

Peter, one of the students from the class, asked about the history of the diminished scale. I don’t remember ever hearing about its history in my travels as a musician, just its applications. So I did a little research and found one of the earlier pieces that explores the diminished scale by virtuoso pianist/composer Franz Liszt. The diminished chord and scale create an unsettled mood of music on the move. A diminished scale creates musical motion, with an unresolved feeling.

Have a listen.

Diminished Scale in Caravan

I found this lesson that highlights use of the diminished scale in playing the song Caravan.

Guitar Lesson

In this lesson the patterns of the diminished scale are demonstrated.

In all three videos you get a feel for the sound/mood of the scale.