fuaranScale Mastery
SCALE · ON DOUBLE BASS

A Diminished Whole Half

Octatonic — whole-half-whole-half. The 'minor' diminished — works over diminished 7ths.

MEIMIDIHumdrum
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Tempo120 bpm

Playback sounds an octave below the written notation — the instrument's concert (sounding) pitch.

Audio source: synthesised in-browser via Tone.js (MIT)

Engraved by Verovio 6.2.0-43f8060 5 9 title A Diminished (Whole-Half) Verovio
Keyboard
ABCDFAE♭F♯G♯
Related scales
Same scale, other instruments
Same scale, other tonics
Modes built on this tonic
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Theory reference
Questions
What notes are in the A Diminished Whole Half scale?

The A Diminished Whole Half scale uses the notes A, B, C, D, E♭, F, F♯, G♯ (one octave; the pattern repeats at higher registers).

What's the Diminished Whole Half scale formula?

The Diminished Whole Half scale follows the interval pattern W H W H W H W H, where W = whole step (2 semitones) and H = half step (1 semitone). Apply that pattern starting on A to get the A Diminished Whole Half scale.

What chords work over A Diminished Whole Half?

Try chord pairings derived from the scale's third, fifth, and seventh degrees as roots — they share the most diatonic notes.

How do I finger A Diminished Whole Half on Double Bass?

On bowed strings, scales train both fingering and bow technique. First-position fingerings cover most scales up to one octave; second-, third-, and fourth-position shifts unlock the higher register. The 1-2-3-4 finger pattern adapts to the half-step + whole-step positions per scale.

When would I use the Diminished Whole Half scale?

Octatonic — whole-half-whole-half. The 'minor' diminished — works over diminished 7ths.