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E diminished (half-whole) scale

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

Symmetric · 8 notes

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

PatternH – W – H – W – H – W – H – W(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 half and whole steps, starting with a half step. It contains the major 3rd and minor 7th, which is why jazz uses it over the dominant chord with ♭9 and ♯9.

Used overE7Em7Em7♭5Edim7

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 E diminished (half-whole) scale?
The notes are E, F, G, G♯, A♯, B, C♯, D.
What is the pattern of the E diminished (half-whole) scale?
The sequence of steps is H – W – H – W – H – W – H – W (W = whole step, H = half step); compared with the major scale the degrees are 1 ♭2 ♭3 3 ♯4 5 6 ♭7.
Which chords is the E diminished (half-whole) scale used over?
It is used over E7, Em7, Em7♭5, Edim7: 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.