About the E Diminished Scale (Half-Whole)

The E diminished scale is a 8-note scale. Symmetric scale alternating half and whole steps, used over dominant 7th chords. Its notes are E, F, G, G#, A#, B, C# and D, built from the formula 1 ♭2 ♭3 3 ♭5 5 6 ♭7.

Notes: E – F – G – G# – A# – B – C# – D
Formula: 1 ♭2 ♭3 3 ♭5 5 6 ♭7
Steps: H W H W H W H W (1–2–1–2–1–2–1–2 semitones)
Root: E

E Diminished Scale (Half-Whole) degrees and intervals

Degree	Note	Interval
1	E	Root
♭2	F	Minor 2nd
♭3	G	Minor 3rd
3	G#	Major 3rd
♭5	A#	Tritone (♭5)
5	B	Perfect 5th
6	C#	Major 6th
♭7	D	Minor 7th

Where to play the E Diminished Scale (Half-Whole) on guitar

Frets 0–12 in standard tuning (E A D G B E), lowest string first. Root notes (E) are highlighted; the pattern repeats from the 12th fret up.

String	Frets
E2	0, 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12
A2	1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11
D3	0, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12
G3	0, 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12
B3	0, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12
E4	0, 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12

How to practice the diminished scale

Practice the symmetric pattern across strings
Use over dominant 7♭9 chords
Work on diminished arpeggio patterns within
Try jazz fusion-style chromatic lines
Practice in minor 3rd transpositions (same notes)

Scales with the same notes as E Diminished Scale (Half-Whole)

These scales share every note with the E diminished scale but start from a different root, so the same shapes work over different chords.

E Diminished Scale (Half-Whole) for Guitar

E Diminished (Half-Whole)

About the E Diminished Scale (Half-Whole)

E Diminished Scale (Half-Whole) degrees and intervals

Where to play the E Diminished Scale (Half-Whole) on guitar

How to practice the diminished scale

Scales with the same notes as E Diminished Scale (Half-Whole)

Diminished scale in other keys

Other scales in E

E Diminished Scale (Half-Whole) on other instruments