B dominant diminished (half-whole) scale on piano
The B dominant diminished (half-whole) scale on piano has 8 notes: B, C, D, D sharp, E sharp, F sharp, G sharp, and A (B, C, D, D♯, E♯, F♯, G♯, A). It uses 3 black keys: D♯, F♯, G♯.
- B 1
- C ♭2
- D ♭3
- D♯ D sharp 3
- E♯ E sharp ♯4
- F♯ F sharp 5
- G♯ G sharp 6
- A ♭7
The highlighted keys are the notes of the scale, with the name and the degree; the tonic (B) has the strongest color. Tap a key to hear the note; "Play" goes up and down. The small dot marks middle C (C4).
Fingering for the B dominant diminished (half-whole) scale
This scale has no single fingering in piano method books. A rule that works: never put the thumb on a black key, and pass the thumb right after a black key. Fingers: 1 = thumb, 2 = index, 3 = middle, 4 = ring, 5 = little finger.
Formula
- B
- H
- C
- W
- D
- H
- D♯
- W
- E♯
- H
- F♯
- W
- G♯
- H
- A
- W
- B
Degrees: 1 · ♭2 · ♭3 · 3 · ♯4 · 5 · 6 · ♭7. Steps: H – W – H – W – H – W – H – W (W = whole step, H = half step).
About the dominant diminished (half-whole) scale
Alternates half and whole steps. Used over dominant chords with an altered 9th, in jazz.
Scales with the same notes
More B scales
- Major
- Natural minor
- Harmonic minor
- Melodic minor
- Major pentatonic
- Minor pentatonic
- Blues
- Major blues
- Dorian
- Phrygian
- Lydian
- Mixolydian
- Locrian
- Nordestina (Brazilian baião)
- Phrygian dominant
- Whole-tone
- Diminished (whole-half)
- Dominant diminished (half-whole)
Dominant diminished (half-whole) in other keys
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of the B dominant diminished (half-whole) scale?
The notes of the B dominant diminished (half-whole) scale are B, C, D, D sharp, E sharp, F sharp, G sharp, and A. It uses 3 black keys: D♯, F♯, G♯.
What is the formula of the B dominant diminished (half-whole) scale?
In degrees: 1 · ♭2 · ♭3 · 3 · ♯4 · 5 · 6 · ♭7. In steps between notes: H – W – H – W – H – W – H – W (W = whole step, H = half step).