It sounds crazy, but it is very simple. These scales are developed mathematically using whole and half steps. There are really only 3 diminished scales – C, C#, and D. When we build the scale starting on D# we get the same scale as the C diminished scale, as it is just an inversion of the C diminished scale. Even more so if you take into account cultures that use quarter-tones. We are breaking the rule of key signatures: there are an A AND an Ab in it! When you hear a certain scale, you probably associate it with something. The cool thing is that this passing diminished is so well accepted in this context that we can make a solo as if this chord were there, even if it is not there. Minor 3rd. As this scale is repeated every three semitones, we can also play the B diminished scale (three semitones above G#). After the D chord comes the E minor chord, but we have already mentioned on another article that the diminished chord goes very well as a passing diminished chord between a major and a minor chord (in this case, we would have the Major – Diminished – Minor sequence, being: D, D#°, Em). So far, no new concepts here. The same is true for the other remaining starting notes. There are 3 ways to think about constructing the scale that corresponds to the diminished chord: 1. The diminished scale is a symmetric scale formed by the sequence: Tone – Semitone – Tone – Semitone – Tone – Semitone – Tone. Minor 3rd: An interval of three half steps above the root note (compared to four half steps with a major third). In other words, learn the scale construction first before getting bogged down with fingerings. View tab @ http://www.freeguitarvideos.com/LJ3/c-diminished-scale.html we will learn about the C Diminished Scale. Notes: C Eb Gb Interval structure: R m3 m5 Chord construction: R = C C + minor interval = Eb (scale degree = minor 3rd) Eb + minor interval = Gb (scale degree = flat/diminished 5th) Cdim on other instruments Cdim piano Cdim guitar Cdim ukulele Cdim mandolin Cdim banjo Another advantage is the repetition of patterns on string instruments. The I-ii bridge. The C diminished chord (just like all diminished chords) contains the following intervals (starting from the root note): minor 3rd, minor 3rd, tritone (which leads back to the root note). Some also refer to this as the double diminished scale because it can be conceptualized as alternating between two diminished arpeggios (C, Eb, F#, A and C#, E, G, Bb). In the same way that we observed for the diminished chord, the diminished scale is repeated every three semitones. var playNode = document.getElementById('playSemitones686960068'); The C diminished chord is produced by taking the 1 (root), b3 and b5 of the C Major scale. Now it’s time to show the application of this scale, after all, it’s useless to keep talking about it if what really matters is knowing where you can use these concepts! In most sheet music books, the notation Cdim or C o denotes a diminished seventh chord with root C; but it may also happen, mostly in modern jazz books and some music theory literature, that Cdim or C o denotes a diminished triad (more commonly denoted Cm ♭5), while Cdim 7 or C o7 in these books denotes a diminished seventh chord (corresponding to Cm 6♭5). You can make up a phrase on the diminished scale and repeat it every three semitones, creating a very interesting effect. Cdim7 (C diminished seventh) Piano sound: Notes and structure: C Eb Gb A (R m3 m5 6) Related Chords: Cº7\A; Chord Categories: diminished chord with a double flat 7 (6th) 7th chord : Other Notations: Cº Cdim Cdim7 Cdim/6 Cdim(add6) Cdim7 on other instruments: Cdim7 piano Cdim7 guitar Cdim7 ukulele Cdim7 mandolin Cdim7 banjo It is very worthwhile to invest time in this study. Diminished Fifth: Six half steps above the root (compared to seven half steps with a perfect 5th). This tension gives a sense of release once the progression arrives on its destination chord. It could remind you of something you’ve heard bef… Unlike other scales which contain seven notes, these scales contain eight notes. It’s common to see the diminished triad and the half-diminished 7th chords (m7♭5), but the m11♭5 is rarely seen. Pattern 3 . Dominant Diminished Scale Pattern. 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