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