Eb Diminished Scale (Whole-Half)
Notes in the Eb Diminished Scale (Whole-Half)
| Degree | Name | Note | Frequency (A=440) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tonic | Eb | 311.127 Hz |
| 2 | Supertonic | F | 349.228 Hz |
| ♭3 | Minor Mediant | Gb | 369.994 Hz |
| 4 | Subdominant | Ab | 415.305 Hz |
| ♭5 | Tritone | A | 440.000 Hz |
| ♭6 | Minor Submediant | B | 493.883 Hz |
| 6 | Major Submediant | C | 261.626 Hz |
| 7 | Leading Tone | D | 293.665 Hz |
Interval Pattern
| Step | Interval | Semitones | From Note | To Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | Eb | F |
| 2 | Half Step (H) | 1 | F | Gb |
| 3 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | Gb | Ab |
| 4 | Half Step (H) | 1 | Ab | A |
| 5 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | A | B |
| 6 | Half Step (H) | 1 | B | C |
| 7 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | C | D |
| 8 | Half Step (H) | 1 | D | Eb |
Chords Built on Scale Degrees
| Degree | Note | Chord | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eb | Eb diminished | diminished |
| 2 | F | F diminished | diminished |
| ♭3 | Gb | Gb diminished | diminished |
| 4 | Ab | Ab diminished | diminished |
| ♭5 | A | A diminished | diminished |
| ♭6 | B | B diminished | diminished |
| 6 | C | C diminished | diminished |
| 7 | D | D diminished | diminished |
Key Signature
3 ♭ — The Eb key signature uses Bb, Eb, Ab.
Eb Diminished Scale (Whole-Half) in Practice
The Eb Diminished Scale (Whole-Half) uses the key signature of 3 flats (Bb, Eb, Ab). Eb major has three flats and a rich, full sound well suited to brass instruments. It is widely used in jazz, classical music, and is the home key for Eb instruments. On guitar, Eb 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eb | 311.127 Hz | 309.026 Hz | 313.951 Hz |
| F | 349.228 Hz | 347.654 Hz | 348.834 Hz |
| Gb | 369.994 Hz | 371.251 Hz | 367.911 Hz |
| Ab | 415.305 Hz | 417.657 Hz | 418.601 Hz |
| A | 440.000 Hz | 440.000 Hz | 436.043 Hz |
| B | 493.883 Hz | 495.000 Hz | 490.548 Hz |
| C | 261.626 Hz | 260.740 Hz | 261.626 Hz |
| D | 293.665 Hz | 293.332 Hz | 294.329 Hz |
Related Scales
Transposing Instruments: Eb Diminished Scale (Whole-Half)
Eb 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 Eb concert pitch. E♭ instruments (alto sax, baritone sax) reading in Eb sound a major sixth lower.