Introduction to the Diminished Scale – Lesson 72

[SynGates.com]

In this lesson we give you an overview of the diminished scale and its applications.

The diminished scale plays over diminished chords as well as V chords.

The backing track is ii-V-i in C minor. (Dm7b5 – G7b9* – Cm)

*Note – To find the diminished scale that plays over the V chord – start on the note that is 1/2 step up.

In this case – an Ab diminished scale would be played over the G7b9.

 

[Luciano Diaz]

This one was so good, thanks Mr Brian.
I started to studyng musical theory by my self and this was a good class to incorporate some stuff about diminished and his function.
Thank you !!

 

[Christian Schulze]

I was here like a year ago......wrote stuff down, learned some stuff...But now I am determined to integrate this into my playing!

Also....the half-Whole scale, and by that the Whole-Half scale, has 9 Notes in it?! Holy Crap! Bringing me out of my Diatonic and pentatonic rut!

Can the Diminished scale be played over other chords that are not minor7(b9) or diminished chords too?

 

[idssdi]

I was here like a year ago......wrote stuff down, learned some stuff...But now I am determined to integrate this into my playing!

Also....the half-Whole scale, and by that the Whole-Half scale, has 9 Notes in it?! Holy Crap! Bringing me out of my Diatonic and pentatonic rut!

Can the Diminished scale be played over other chords that are not minor7(b9) or diminished chords too?

Yes, it works wonders over dominant chords. Basically if you take a dominant seventh for example, the major third, fifth and minor seventh is a diminished triad add in the b2 and you have a full diminished arpeggio and it sounds awesome. Since the diminished scale is effectively the notes in diminished arpeggio with the notes a semitone below added to it you can use the diminished scale half a note up over the dominant chord. So for example F diminished over E7(or E dominant diminished over E7)

Since the 7 and m6 chords are substitutions you can also use them over m6 chords. For example if you take Am6 there's a D9 in there so anything that works over the D9 will likely also work over the Am6. Since you can use the D# diminished scale over D9 which has the same notes as A diminished you can use A diminished over the Am6. Just remember to always use your ears because shit can get weird the deeper it goes

 

[Christian Schulze]

Yes, it works wonders over dominant chords. Basically if you take a dominant seventh for example, the major third, fifth and minor seventh is a diminished triad add in the b2 and you have a full diminished arpeggio and it sounds awesome. Since the diminished scale is effectively the notes in diminished arpeggio with the notes a semitone below added to it you can use the diminished scale half a note up over the dominant chord. So for example F diminished over E7(or E dominant diminished over E7)

Since the 7 and m6 chords are substitutions you can also use them over m6 chords. For example if you take Am6 there's a D9 in there so anything that works over the D9 will likely also work over the Am6. Since you can use the D# diminished scale over D9 which has the same notes as A diminished you can use A diminished over the Am6. Just remember to always use your ears because shit can get weird the deeper it goes

My man Ids coming to the rescue!! Thank you brother!

 

[Christian Schulze]

Yes, it works wonders over dominant chords. Basically if you take a dominant seventh for example, the major third, fifth and minor seventh is a diminished triad add in the b2 and you have a full diminished arpeggio and it sounds awesome. Since the diminished scale is effectively the notes in diminished arpeggio with the notes a semitone below added to it you can use the diminished scale half a note up over the dominant chord. So for example F diminished over E7(or E dominant diminished over E7)

Since the 7 and m6 chords are substitutions you can also use them over m6 chords. For example if you take Am6 there's a D9 in there so anything that works over the D9 will likely also work over the Am6. Since you can use the D# diminished scale over D9 which has the same notes as A diminished you can use A diminished over the Am6. Just remember to always use your ears because shit can get weird the deeper it goes

This is very helpful. In theory then. Over a 12 bar blues that uses dominant7th chords...one can have a field day with the diminished scale.

Awesome!

 

[idssdi]

This is very helpful. In theory then. Over a 12 bar blues that uses dominant7th chords...one can have a field day with the diminished scale.

Awesome!

Yes exactly! I shamelessly use diminished arpeggios in a blues too

It may bring it more into jazz blues territory but it sounds awesome so who cares

 

[William B.]

The lesson doesn't mark complete for me
do I need to watch it twice?

 

[idssdi]

The lesson doesn't mark complete for me
do I need to watch it twice?

I think there's a bug that makes marking complete difficult.

It's a cool scale tho!

 

[William B.]

I think there's a bug that makes marking complete difficult.

It's a cool scale tho!

I'm feeling accomplished
it sure is nice and now I kind of feel like I know what I'm doing some not totally but gaining some clarity
Going to share something later gonna go out for a bit

should I try a different browser?

 

[Shumu]

Mr Haner, thank you so much for taking the time to do this lesson. It's by far the best explained and most amazing lesson I've seen in my life. Respect, sir!
I think this will keep me busy for an enormous amount of time