Bb Diminished Scale (Half-Whole)
Notes in the Bb Diminished Scale (Half-Whole)
| Degree | Name | Note | Frequency (A=440) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tonic | Bb | 466.164 Hz |
| ♭2 | Altered 2nd | B | 493.883 Hz |
| ♭3 | Minor Mediant | Db | 277.183 Hz |
| 3 | Major Mediant | D | 293.665 Hz |
| ♯4 | Tritone | E | 329.628 Hz |
| 5 | Dominant | F | 349.228 Hz |
| 6 | Major Submediant | G | 391.995 Hz |
| ♭7 | Subtonic | Ab | 415.305 Hz |
Interval Pattern
| Step | Interval | Semitones | From Note | To Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Half Step (H) | 1 | Bb | B |
| 2 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | B | Db |
| 3 | Half Step (H) | 1 | Db | D |
| 4 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | D | E |
| 5 | Half Step (H) | 1 | E | F |
| 6 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | F | G |
| 7 | Half Step (H) | 1 | G | Ab |
| 8 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | Ab | Bb |
Chords Built on Scale Degrees
| Degree | Note | Chord | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bb | Bb diminished | diminished |
| ♭2 | B | B diminished | diminished |
| ♭3 | Db | Db diminished | diminished |
| 3 | D | D diminished | diminished |
| ♯4 | E | E diminished | diminished |
| 5 | F | F diminished | diminished |
| 6 | G | G diminished | diminished |
| ♭7 | Ab | Ab diminished | diminished |
Key Signature
2 ♭ — The Bb key signature uses Bb, Eb.
Bb Diminished Scale (Half-Whole) in Practice
The Bb Diminished Scale (Half-Whole) uses the key signature of 2 flats (Bb, Eb). Bb major has two flats (Bb, Eb) and is extremely common in jazz and wind ensemble music. It is the home key for Bb instruments such as the trumpet and tenor saxophone. On guitar, Bb positions offer comfortable transposing instrument keys for this scale.
The half-whole diminished scale alternates half and whole steps, creating an 8-note symmetrical scale ideal for dominant chord improvisation and tension-building in jazz.
Tuning Frequencies Across Temperaments
Frequencies shown at A=440 Hz. View full temperament data for any note.
| Note | Equal Temp. | Pythagorean | Just Intonation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bb | 466.164 Hz | 463.538 Hz | 470.926 Hz |
| B | 493.883 Hz | 495.000 Hz | 490.548 Hz |
| Db | 277.183 Hz | 278.437 Hz | 279.067 Hz |
| D | 293.665 Hz | 293.332 Hz | 294.329 Hz |
| E | 329.628 Hz | 330.001 Hz | 327.032 Hz |
| F | 349.228 Hz | 347.654 Hz | 348.834 Hz |
| G | 391.995 Hz | 391.111 Hz | 392.438 Hz |
| Ab | 415.305 Hz | 417.657 Hz | 418.601 Hz |
Related Scales
Transposing Instruments: Bb Diminished Scale (Half-Whole)
Bb is a natural key for B♭ instruments (trumpet, clarinet, tenor sax), which sound a major second lower than written. B♭ instruments reading in C produce Bb concert pitch. E♭ instruments (alto sax, baritone sax) reading in Bb sound a major sixth lower.