C sharp diminished (whole-half) scale on piano
The C sharp diminished (whole-half) scale on piano has 8 notes: C sharp, D sharp, E, F sharp, G, A, A sharp, and B sharp (C♯, D♯, E, F♯, G, A, A♯, B♯). It uses 4 black keys: C♯, D♯, F♯, A♯.
- C♯ C sharp 1
- D♯ D sharp 2
- E ♭3
- F♯ F sharp 4
- G ♭5
- A ♭6
- A♯ A sharp 6
- B♯ B sharp 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 sharp 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 sharp scales
- Major (D♭)
- Natural minor
- Harmonic minor
- Melodic minor
- Major pentatonic (D♭)
- Minor pentatonic
- Blues
- Major blues
- Dorian
- Phrygian
- Lydian (D♭)
- Mixolydian
- Locrian
- Nordestina (Brazilian baião) (D♭)
- Phrygian dominant
- Whole-tone (D♭)
- Diminished (whole-half)
- Dominant diminished (half-whole)
Diminished (whole-half) in other keys
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of the C sharp diminished (whole-half) scale?
The notes of the C sharp diminished (whole-half) scale are C sharp, D sharp, E, F sharp, G, A, A sharp, and B sharp. It uses 4 black keys: C♯, D♯, F♯, A♯.
What is the formula of the C sharp 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).