A Diminished Cavaquinho Scale
Cavaquinho scale in Standard tuning — fretboard diagram
A Diminished in Standard — Notes and Intervals
The A Diminished scale, also known as the Octatonic scale and Messiaen's Mode of Limited Transposition #2, alternates whole and half steps to create an 8-note symmetrical structure. On Cavaquinho, its notes are A, B, C, D, Eb, F, F#, G#. Only three unique diminished scales exist — after three transpositions, the notes repeat. It is the definitive sound of film noir, thrillers, and psychological horror, used by composers from Stravinsky to Hans Zimmer to evoke dread, ambiguity, and mounting tension. Use it over dim7 chords and as a sophisticated tension device over dominant 7ths. Commonly used in Jazz, Film Scores, Classical, Metal. Notable players include Django Reinhardt, Joe Pass, Bela Bartok, Dream Theater. Use over dim7 chords and as a tension device over dominant 7ths. Each diminished scale works over 4 different root notes (every minor 3rd).
Notes: A, B, C, D, Eb, F, F#, G#
Intervals: 1P, 2M, 3m, 4P, 5d, 6m, 6M, 7M
Degrees: 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 7 8
Formula: W-H-W-H-W-H-W-H
Number of notes: 8
Tuning: Standard (D-B-G-D)
Also known as: whole-half diminished