B Diminished Scale (Whole-Half)
Notes in the B Diminished Scale (Whole-Half)
| Degree | Name | Note | Frequency (A=440) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tonic | B | 493.883 Hz |
| 2 | Supertonic | C# | 277.183 Hz |
| ♭3 | Minor Mediant | D | 293.665 Hz |
| 4 | Subdominant | E | 329.628 Hz |
| ♭5 | Tritone | F | 349.228 Hz |
| ♭6 | Minor Submediant | G | 391.995 Hz |
| 6 | Major Submediant | G# | 415.305 Hz |
| 7 | Leading Tone | A# | 466.164 Hz |
Interval Pattern
| Step | Interval | Semitones | From Note | To Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | B | C# |
| 2 | Half Step (H) | 1 | C# | D |
| 3 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | D | E |
| 4 | Half Step (H) | 1 | E | F |
| 5 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | F | G |
| 6 | Half Step (H) | 1 | G | G# |
| 7 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | G# | A# |
| 8 | Half Step (H) | 1 | A# | B |
Chords Built on Scale Degrees
| Degree | Note | Chord | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | B | B diminished | diminished |
| 2 | C# | C# diminished | diminished |
| ♭3 | D | D diminished | diminished |
| 4 | E | E diminished | diminished |
| ♭5 | F | F diminished | diminished |
| ♭6 | G | G diminished | diminished |
| 6 | G# | G# diminished | diminished |
| 7 | A# | A# diminished | diminished |
Key Signature
5 ♯ — The B key signature uses F#, C#, G#, D#, A#.
B Diminished Scale (Whole-Half) in Practice
The B Diminished Scale (Whole-Half) uses the key signature of 5 sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#, A#). B major has five sharps and a bright, somewhat tense quality. Enharmonically equivalent to Cb major, it is used in orchestral writing and some jazz compositions. On guitar, B positions offer open-string resonance for fingering positions for this scale.
The whole-half diminished scale alternates whole and half steps, creating an 8-note symmetrical scale. It is used over diminished chords and in jazz improvisation.
Tuning Frequencies Across Temperaments
Frequencies shown at A=440 Hz. View full temperament data for any note.
| Note | Equal Temp. | Pythagorean | Just Intonation |
|---|---|---|---|
| B | 493.883 Hz | 495.000 Hz | 490.548 Hz |
| C# | 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 |
| G# | 415.305 Hz | 417.657 Hz | 418.601 Hz |
| A# | 466.164 Hz | 463.538 Hz | 470.926 Hz |
Related Scales
Guitar: B Diminished Scale (Whole-Half) Positions
The B key offers 5 sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#, A#) on guitar. Sharp-side keys like B are idiomatic guitar keys because open strings (E, A, D, G, B, E) align with the scale's natural resonance points.