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