G Diminished Scale (Whole-Half)
Notes in the G Diminished Scale (Whole-Half)
| Degree | Name | Note | Frequency (A=440) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tonic | G | 391.995 Hz |
| 2 | Supertonic | A | 440.000 Hz |
| ♭3 | Minor Mediant | A# | 466.164 Hz |
| 4 | Subdominant | C | 261.626 Hz |
| ♭5 | Tritone | C# | 277.183 Hz |
| ♭6 | Minor Submediant | D# | 311.127 Hz |
| 6 | Major Submediant | E | 329.628 Hz |
| 7 | Leading Tone | F# | 369.994 Hz |
Interval Pattern
| Step | Interval | Semitones | From Note | To Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | G | A |
| 2 | Half Step (H) | 1 | A | A# |
| 3 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | A# | C |
| 4 | Half Step (H) | 1 | C | C# |
| 5 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | C# | D# |
| 6 | Half Step (H) | 1 | D# | E |
| 7 | Whole Step (W) | 2 | E | F# |
| 8 | Half Step (H) | 1 | F# | G |
Chords Built on Scale Degrees
| Degree | Note | Chord | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | G | G diminished | diminished |
| 2 | A | A diminished | diminished |
| ♭3 | A# | A# diminished | diminished |
| 4 | C | C diminished | diminished |
| ♭5 | C# | C# diminished | diminished |
| ♭6 | D# | D# diminished | diminished |
| 6 | E | E diminished | diminished |
| 7 | F# | F# diminished | diminished |
Key Signature
1 ♯ — The G key signature uses F#.
G Diminished Scale (Whole-Half) in Practice
The G Diminished Scale (Whole-Half) uses the key signature of 1 sharp (F#). G major has one sharp (F#) and is one of the most common keys in folk, country, and rock music. Its open, resonant quality makes it ideal for guitar-based music. On guitar, G 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| G | 391.995 Hz | 391.111 Hz | 392.438 Hz |
| A | 440.000 Hz | 440.000 Hz | 436.043 Hz |
| A# | 466.164 Hz | 463.538 Hz | 470.926 Hz |
| C | 261.626 Hz | 260.740 Hz | 261.626 Hz |
| C# | 277.183 Hz | 278.437 Hz | 279.067 Hz |
| D# | 311.127 Hz | 309.026 Hz | 313.951 Hz |
| E | 329.628 Hz | 330.001 Hz | 327.032 Hz |
| F# | 369.994 Hz | 371.251 Hz | 367.911 Hz |
Related Scales
Guitar: G Diminished Scale (Whole-Half) Positions
The G key offers 1 sharp (F#) on guitar. Sharp-side keys like G are idiomatic guitar keys because open strings (E, A, D, G, B, E) align with the scale's natural resonance points.