E dominant diminished (half-whole) scale on piano
The E dominant diminished (half-whole) scale on piano has 8 notes: E, F, G, G sharp, A sharp, B, C sharp, and D (E, F, G, G♯, A♯, B, C♯, D). It uses 3 black keys: G♯, A♯, C♯.
- E 1
- F ♭2
- G ♭3
- G♯ G sharp 3
- A♯ A sharp ♯4
- B 5
- C♯ C sharp 6
- D ♭7
The highlighted keys are the notes of the scale, with the name and the degree; the tonic (E) 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 E 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
- E
- H
- F
- W
- G
- H
- G♯
- W
- A♯
- H
- B
- W
- C♯
- H
- D
- W
- E
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 E 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 E dominant diminished (half-whole) scale?
The notes of the E dominant diminished (half-whole) scale are E, F, G, G sharp, A sharp, B, C sharp, and D. It uses 3 black keys: G♯, A♯, C♯.
What is the formula of the E 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).