E Half-Whole Diminished is a symmetrical scale from the tense, unstable diminished family. Eight-note symmetrical scale alternating H-W-H-W. The Half-Whole Diminished scale contains 8 notes: E, F, G, G#, Bb, B, C#, D. With a formula of 1 - b2 - b3 - 3 - b5 - 5 - 6 - b7, it uses eight or more notes for a denser harmonic palette. This advanced scale opens up sophisticated harmonic possibilities.
The E Half-Whole Diminished scale is constructed using the interval formula 1 - b2 - b3 - 3 - b5 - 5 - 6 - b7, which means it contains the intervals Root (1), Minor Second (b2), Minor Third (b3), Major Third (3), Tritone (b5/#4), Perfect Fifth (5), Major Sixth (6), Minor Seventh (b7) above the root E. The notes are E, F, G, G#, Bb, B, C#, D. Starting from the E major scale (E, F, F#, G, G#, A, A#, B, C, C#, D, D#), the symmetrical interval pattern creates maximum instability. Key characteristics: Repeats every minor 3rd. Also called diminished scale.
E Half-Whole Diminished sounds tense, unstable, and angular. The symmetrical interval pattern divides the octave into equal parts, creating a disorienting quality that lacks a clear tonal center. The emotional feeling is anxious, suspenseful, and unsettling. Used in jazz for complex harmonic exploration and in film scores for creating tension and unease.
E Half-Whole Diminished works best in Jazz, Bebop, Classical music. Use it over diminished chords or as a passing scale for chromatic runs. Common in jazz turnarounds and film-score-like passages.
Compatible chords and progressions:
1. dim7
2. 7b9
3. 7#9
Related scales:
- Whole-Half Diminished
- Altered Scale
- Locrian
Practice Routine for E Half-Whole Diminished:
5 minutes: Play each note of the E Half-Whole Diminished scale slowly, one at a time. Listen carefully to the character of each interval. Ascending and descending through the scale. Focus on clean, even tone on each note.
10 minutes: Practice the scale with a metronome at 60 BPM. Play one note per beat ascending, then descending. Gradually increase to two notes per beat (eighth notes) and four notes per beat (sixteenth notes). Focus on timing precision.
20 minutes: Apply the scale over a backing track in E major. Improvise melodies using only the Half-Whole Diminished scale notes. Experiment with different rhythmic patterns, slides, bends, and vibrato. Focus on musical phrasing.
30 minutes: Learn the scale in multiple positions across the fretboard. Connect different positions with smooth transitions. Practice playing the scale over a chord progression (dim7). Record yourself and analyze your phrasing.
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Playing too fast before understanding the scale's sound character
- Not listening to the intervals individually
- Ignoring the scale's unique character (each scale has a distinctive mood)
- Skipping the descending practice — descending is equally important
Advanced Tips: Explore the scale's modes and related scales. Practice with odd time signatures and asymmetric rhythms. Use the scale over non-standard chord progressions to discover new sounds.
pages.scaleDetail.frequentlyAskedQuestions
What is the E Half-Whole Diminished scale?
E Half-Whole Diminished is a symmetrical scale consisting of 8 notes: E, F, G, G#, Bb, B, C#, D. The formula is 1 - b2 - b3 - 3 - b5 - 5 - 6 - b7. Eight-note symmetrical scale alternating H-W-H-W.
What notes are in the E Half-Whole Diminished scale?
The E Half-Whole Diminished scale contains the notes E, F, G, G#, Bb, B, C#, D. These correspond to the formula 1 - b2 - b3 - 3 - b5 - 5 - 6 - b7, which represents the intervals Root (1), Minor Second (b2), Minor Third (b3), Major Third (3), Tritone (b5/#4), Perfect Fifth (5), Major Sixth (6), Minor Seventh (b7) above the root E.
What is the formula for the E Half-Whole Diminished scale?
The formula for the E Half-Whole Diminished scale is 1 - b2 - b3 - 3 - b5 - 5 - 6 - b7. This means it uses the Root (1), Minor Second (b2), Minor Third (b3), Major Third (3), Tritone (b5/#4), Perfect Fifth (5), Major Sixth (6), Minor Seventh (b7) intervals from the root note E.
How do you play the E Half-Whole Diminished scale on guitar?
To play the E Half-Whole Diminished scale on guitar, start at the root note E and follow the fretboard pattern. Each note corresponds to a specific fret on the guitar. Use the interactive fretboard diagram above to see all positions and fingerings.
What is the E Half-Whole Diminished scale used for?
E Half-Whole Diminished is commonly used in Jazz, Bebop, Classical music. It creates distinctive sounds for specialized musical contexts.
Is the E Half-Whole Diminished scale the same as E major?
No, the E Half-Whole Diminished scale is different from E major. E major has the notes E, F, F#, G, G#, A, A#, B, C, C#, D, D# (formula: 1-2-3-4-5-6-7), while E Half-Whole Diminished has E, F, G, G#, Bb, B, C#, D (formula: 1 - b2 - b3 - 3 - b5 - 5 - 6 - b7).
What chords go well with the E Half-Whole Diminished scale?
Chords that work well with the E Half-Whole Diminished scale include dim7, 7b9, 7#9. The scale's diminished character makes it compatible with Jazz and Bebop chord progressions.