What are the notes of the C diminished (half-whole) scale?

The notes are C, D♭, E♭, E, F♯, G, A, B♭.

What is the pattern of the C diminished (half-whole) scale?

The sequence of steps is H – W – H – W – H – W – H – W (W = whole step, H = half step); compared with the major scale the degrees are 1 ♭2 ♭3 3 ♯4 5 6 ♭7.

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C diminished (half-whole) scale

The C diminished (half-whole) scale is made of the notes C, D♭, E♭, E, F♯, G, A, B♭. It has 8 notes; compared with the major scale its formula is 1 ♭2 ♭3 3 ♯4 5 6 ♭7.

Symmetric · 8 notes

Note names

1C
♭2D♭
♭3E♭
3E
♯4F♯
5G
6A
♭7B♭

PatternH – W – H – W – H – W – H – W(W = whole step, H = half step)

Built by repeating the same pattern of intervals over and over. Degrees are shown relative to the major scale: ♭3 is the third lowered by a half step, ♯4 the fourth raised.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the notes of the C diminished (half-whole) scale?: The notes are C, D♭, E♭, E, F♯, G, A, B♭.
What is the pattern of the C diminished (half-whole) scale?: The sequence of steps is H – W – H – W – H – W – H – W (W = whole step, H = half step); compared with the major scale the degrees are 1 ♭2 ♭3 3 ♯4 5 6 ♭7.

Texts and tools by Stefano Corradi, professional musician and developer. Last updated: October 8, 2026.

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