STRINGSCALES

B♭ diminished Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: Fb, Gb, G, A, Bb, C, Db, Eb, Fb at frets 0, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12

A string: A, Bb, C, Db, Eb, Fb, Gb, G, A at frets 0, 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12

D string: Eb, Fb, Gb, G, A, Bb, C, Db at frets 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11

G string: G, A, Bb, C, Db, Eb, Fb, Gb, G at frets 0, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12

B string: C, Db, Eb, Fb, Gb, G, A, Bb at frets 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11

High E string: Fb, Gb, G, A, Bb, C, Db, Eb, Fb at frets 0, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12

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Bb diminished

The diminished scale (the whole-half diminished scale) alternates whole and half steps through eight notes. It serves fully diminished 7th chords, and its minor-3rd symmetry means fingerings repeat every three frets: learn one octave and you own the neck. Jazz and classical writing both exploit its ability to spiral tension upward before resolving.

it consists of these notes and degrees:

B♭

I

C

II

D♭

bIII

E♭

IV

F♭

bV

G♭

bVI

G

VI

A

VII

Same notes, different mode

Bb diminished uses the same notes as the scales below. Start from a different note and you get a new mode built on the very same note set.

C half-whole diminishedEb half-whole diminishedGb half-whole diminishedA half-whole diminished

diminished in all 12 keys, with chords and related scales

tip
  • This is the whole-half diminished scale: run it over a fully diminished 7th chord in Bb, whose four chord tones sit right inside it.
  • Every pattern repeats a minor 3rd (Db) up; learn one octave of Bb fingering and transpose it in three-fret jumps.
  • Alternate a diminished 7th arpeggio with scale steps for the classic spiraling tension line.
  • Do not confuse it with the half-whole scale: whole-half fits the diminished chord itself, half-whole fits dominant 7b9 chords.

How to play B♭ diminished on guitar

Barre the A-shape at fret 1 for the lowest voicing in this key, which means no long reach is needed. Major seventh rings on open A, major sixth on open G, diminished fifth on both E strings. Capo on fret 1 puts the key under A fingering, so the 5 flats do not reach your fretting hand. Db diminished 3 frets up is the same box, so the fingering repeats in minor thirds. Fret 10 starts the second position.

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