Major Diminished begin with H Step

The Half note — Whole note scale consists of eight notes and is built by alternating half and whole note steps. It is a diminished symmetric scale.

(The diminished scale that is built by alternating half and whole note steps, but starts with a whole note step, is on the minor color circle)

When transposing you will notice that there are only three variations for the Half note — Whole note scale, respectively you only have to learn three patterns.

* The third variation (in D) contains the same notes as the Whole note — Half note scale in C (first mode). Look Diminished, begin with W step on the minor color circle)
The fourth variation (D#) contains again the same notes as the first variation. The scale repeats itself in frequency of a minor third, which leads to the following arrangement.

The three preceding variations of the scale can be played to above major keys.

Application

In the 40’s, the BeBop area, these diminished chords were often used as intermediate chords or as substitutes for major seven chords on the V degree and are an essential part of Jazz music.

In general this diminished scale fits with dominant seven chords (the scale could also be depicted on the Dom7 color circle) with diminished fifth and diminished second. The sound of John Coltrane and Michael Brecker is often associated with this scale.

Chords

The symmetric scales

A symmetric scale has the property that its modes result in the same scales as the original scale.

Whole note scale

Diminished symmetric scale

Diminished symmetric scales consist of alternating half and whole note steps. The Whole note — Half note scale starts with a whole note step. This scale is also in short called Diminished scale.

The Half note — Whole note scale starts with a half note step.