Bb Diminished Scale (Whole-Half)
Notes in the Bb Diminished Scale (Whole-Half)
| Degree | Name | Note | Frequency (A=440) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tonic | Bb | 466.164 Hz |
| 2 | Supertonic | C | 261.626 Hz |
| ♭3 | Minor Mediant | Db | 277.183 Hz |
| 4 | Subdominant | Eb | 311.127 Hz |
| ♭5 | Tritone | E | 329.628 Hz |
| ♭6 | Minor Submediant | Gb | 369.994 Hz |
| 6 | Major Submediant | G | 391.995 Hz |
| 7 | Leading Tone | A | 440.000 Hz |
Interval Pattern
| Step | Interval | Semitones | From Note | To Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | Bb | C |
| 2 | Half Step (H) | 1 | C | Db |
| 3 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | Db | Eb |
| 4 | Half Step (H) | 1 | Eb | E |
| 5 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | E | Gb |
| 6 | Half Step (H) | 1 | Gb | G |
| 7 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | G | A |
| 8 | Half Step (H) | 1 | A | Bb |
Chords Built on Scale Degrees
| Degree | Note | Chord | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bb | Bb diminished | diminished |
| 2 | C | C diminished | diminished |
| ♭3 | Db | Db diminished | diminished |
| 4 | Eb | Eb diminished | diminished |
| ♭5 | E | E diminished | diminished |
| ♭6 | Gb | Gb diminished | diminished |
| 6 | G | G diminished | diminished |
| 7 | A | A diminished | diminished |
Key Signature
2 ♭ — The Bb key signature uses Bb, Eb.
Bb Diminished Scale (Whole-Half) in Practice
The Bb Diminished Scale (Whole-Half) 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 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bb | 466.164 Hz | 463.538 Hz | 470.926 Hz |
| C | 261.626 Hz | 260.740 Hz | 261.626 Hz |
| Db | 277.183 Hz | 278.437 Hz | 279.067 Hz |
| Eb | 311.127 Hz | 309.026 Hz | 313.951 Hz |
| E | 329.628 Hz | 330.001 Hz | 327.032 Hz |
| Gb | 369.994 Hz | 371.251 Hz | 367.911 Hz |
| G | 391.995 Hz | 391.111 Hz | 392.438 Hz |
| A | 440.000 Hz | 440.000 Hz | 436.043 Hz |
Related Scales
Transposing Instruments: Bb Diminished Scale (Whole-Half)
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.