B Half-whole Diminished Bass Scale
Bass scale — fretboard diagramAdvanced
B Half-whole Diminished Scale — Notes and Intervals
The B Half-whole Diminished scale is a symmetrical scale that is an essential tool for jazz players. On Bass, the notes are B, C, D, D#, F, F#, G#, A. It provides a sophisticated dissonant crunch when played over dominant seventh chords, allowing for complex, high-tension solos that still feel structured. Commonly used in Jazz, Bebop, Fusion, Film Scores. Notable players include Charlie Parker, Joe Pass, Pat Martino, George Benson. Use over dominant 7th chords (7, 7b9, 13b9). The jazz standard for creating structured tension over dominant harmony. Works over 4 roots spaced a minor 3rd apart.
Notes: B, C, D, D#, F, F#, G#, A
Intervals: 1P, 2m, 3m, 3M, 4A, 5P, 6M, 7m
Degrees: 1 b2 b3 4 #5 6 7 b8
Formula: H-W-H-W-H-W-H-W
Number of notes: 8
Also known as: dominant diminished, messiaen's mode #2
Musical Character
The inverse of the whole-half diminished — starts with a half step. This version is the standard jazz choice over dominant 7th chords, providing a sophisticated 'crunch' that resolves beautifully.
Genres & Notable Artists
Genres: Jazz, Bebop, Fusion, Film Scores
Notable players: Charlie Parker, Joe Pass, Pat Martino, George Benson
How to Use the B Half-whole Diminished Scale
Use over dominant 7th chords (7, 7b9, 13b9). The jazz standard for creating structured tension over dominant harmony. Works over 4 roots spaced a minor 3rd apart.
Origin & Background
The dominant diminished scale in jazz theory. Provides 4 symmetrically equivalent chord tones and 4 tensions.
How to Play B Half-whole Diminished on Bass
On bass, locate B on the A string at fret 2. Use a one-finger-per-fret approach starting from the root and span two to three strings. Keep your fretting hand relaxed and practice shifting between positions cleanly.
The B Half-whole Diminished scale contains 3 sharps (D#, F#, G#). This scale does not follow a traditional major or minor key signature, so reading from sheet music may require accidentals.
Practice Routine
Practice the B Half-whole Diminished scale by playing it ascending with one rhythmic feel (straight eighth notes) and descending with another (swing or triplets) at 100 BPM. This dual approach trains both technical accuracy and rhythmic versatility with the 8 notes of the scale.
Experiment with simple two-chord vamps rooted on B to let the characteristic intervals of the Half-whole Diminished scale come through clearly. This scale is especially effective in fusion contexts.
Bass Tips
Practice the B Half-whole Diminished scale on bass using only your index and ring fingers for a two-finger-per-string approach, then switch to one-finger-per-fret. Both techniques are essential for different musical situations. Aim for a crunchy quality in your phrasing to match the natural character of this scale.
Related Scales
The B Half-whole Diminished scale contains 8 notes (B, C, D, D#, F, F#, G#, A). Use the interactive fretboard above to explore this scale on Bass with different tunings and fret ranges.
CAGED Positions & Patterns for B Half-whole Diminished
The B Half-whole Diminished scale can be played in 5 CAGED positions across the fretboard, each based on an open chord shape (C, A, G, E, D). As a 8-note scale, it also lends itself to 3-notes-per-string (3NPS) patterns that facilitate legato playing and diagonal shifting. Use the pattern selector above to isolate each position.