C diminished (whole-half) scale on piano
The C diminished (whole-half) scale on piano has 8 notes: C, D, E flat, F, G flat, A flat, A, and B (C, D, E♭, F, G♭, A♭, A, B). It uses 3 black keys: E♭, G♭, A♭.
- C 1
- D 2
- E♭ E flat ♭3
- F 4
- G♭ G flat ♭5
- A♭ A flat ♭6
- A 6
- B 7
The highlighted keys are the notes of the scale, with the name and the degree; the tonic (C) 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 C diminished (whole-half) 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
- C
- W
- D
- H
- E♭
- W
- F
- H
- G♭
- W
- A♭
- H
- A
- W
- B
- H
- C
Degrees: 1 · 2 · ♭3 · 4 · ♭5 · ♭6 · 6 · 7. Steps: W – H – W – H – W – H – W – H (W = whole step, H = half step).
About the diminished (whole-half) scale
Alternates whole and half steps. Used over diminished chords.
Scales with the same notes
More C 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)
Diminished (whole-half) in other keys
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of the C diminished (whole-half) scale?
The notes of the C diminished (whole-half) scale are C, D, E flat, F, G flat, A flat, A, and B. It uses 3 black keys: E♭, G♭, A♭.
What is the formula of the C diminished (whole-half) scale?
In degrees: 1 · 2 · ♭3 · 4 · ♭5 · ♭6 · 6 · 7. In steps between notes: W – H – W – H – W – H – W – H (W = whole step, H = half step).