Symmetric
Diminished (H-W) Scale
An 8-note symmetric scale alternating half and whole steps. Used extensively in jazz over diminished and dominant chords.
Hear the Diminished (H-W) Scale
How to Identify It
Tense and chromatic — the alternating half-whole pattern creates maximum tension. Sounds like something is about to resolve but keeps delaying. Very jazzy.
Famous Examples
- Jazz improvisation over dim7 and dom7b9 chords
- John Coltrane solos
- Film scores for tension and suspense
Diminished (H-W) in All 12 Keys
Often Confused With
About the Diminished (H-W) Scale
The diminished (h-w) scale is a symmetric scale built from the interval pattern 1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2 (in whole and half steps). An 8-note symmetric scale alternating half and whole steps. Used extensively in jazz over diminished and dominant chords.
To recognise the diminished (h-w) scale reliably by ear, focus on its characteristic mood — tense, chromatic, jazzy, unresolved. Use the player above to hear it in all 12 keys, and the recognition trainer to test yourself against a mixed set of scales.