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A diminished (whole-half) scale

The A diminished (whole-half) scale is made of the notes A, B, C, D, E♭, F, F♯, G♯. It has 8 notes; compared with the major scale its formula is 1 2 ♭3 4 ♭5 ♭6 6 7.

Symmetric · 8 notes

Note names
  1. 1A
  2. 2B
  3. ♭3C
  4. 4D
  5. ♭5E♭
  6. ♭6F
  7. 6F♯
  8. 7G♯

PatternW – H – W – H – W – H – W – H(W = whole step, H = half step)

Built by repeating the same pattern of intervals over and over. Degrees are shown relative to the major scale: ♭3 is the third lowered by a half step, ♯4 the fourth raised.

Open in the scale finder

Mode and chords

Eight notes alternating whole and half steps, starting with a whole step. It repeats itself every minor third, so there are only three different ones; it is used over the diminished seventh chord.

Used overAdim7Adim

Put it into practice

The scale played in thirds over one octave: one of the exercises MEG generates from this scale.

This scale is not part of the demo: in the MEG app you will find it in every key, with 24 patterns.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the notes of the A diminished (whole-half) scale?
The notes are A, B, C, D, E♭, F, F♯, G♯.
What is the pattern of the A diminished (whole-half) scale?
The sequence of steps is W – H – W – H – W – H – W – H (W = whole step, H = half step); compared with the major scale the degrees are 1 2 ♭3 4 ♭5 ♭6 6 7.
Which chords is the A diminished (whole-half) scale used over?
It is used over Adim7, Adim: the chords on the tonic made of the notes of the scale.

Texts and tools by , professional musician and developer. Last updated: October 9, 2026.