STRINGSCALES

E diminished Scale — Guitar Fretboard Visualization

Low E string: E, F#, G, A, Bb, C, C#, D#, E at frets 0, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12

A string: A, Bb, C, C#, D#, E, F#, G, A at frets 0, 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12

D string: D#, E, F#, G, A, Bb, C, C# at frets 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11

G string: G, A, Bb, C, C#, D#, E, F#, G at frets 0, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12

B string: C, C#, D#, E, F#, G, A, Bb at frets 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11

High E string: E, F#, G, A, Bb, C, C#, D#, E at frets 0, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12

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E 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:

E

I

F♯

II

G

bIII

A

IV

B♭

bV

C

bVI

C♯

VI

D♯

VII

Same notes, different mode

E 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.

F# half-whole diminishedA half-whole diminishedC half-whole diminishedD# 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 E, whose four chord tones sit right inside it.
  • Every pattern repeats a minor 3rd (G) up; learn one octave of E 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 E diminished on guitar

Both open E strings are roots and open A gives the perfect fourth, so the tonic and fourth ring with no fretting at all. Minor third comes off open G. E-shape barre climbs to fret 12 while the A-shape waits at fret 7, so the low anchor is the open string itself. Bb diminished 6 semitones up wants the same fingering, so the shape is reusable across four tonics. At fret 4 a new box begins.

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