F# Half-whole Diminished Guitar Scale
Guitar scale in Baritone (B Standard) tuning — fretboard diagram
F# Half-whole Diminished in Baritone (B Standard) — Notes and Intervals
The F# Half-whole Diminished scale is a symmetrical scale that is an essential tool for jazz players. On Guitar, the notes are F#, G, A, A#, C, C#, D#, E. 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: F#, G, A, A#, C, C#, D#, E
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
Tuning: Baritone (B Standard) (B-E-A-D-F#-B)
Also known as: dominant diminished, messiaen's mode #2
About Baritone (B Standard) Tuning
The baritone guitar is tuned a perfect fourth lower than standard guitar (B-E-A-D-F#-B), producing a distinctly beefy tone with serious low-end depth that sits perfectly between guitar and bass. Its rich, dark voice has made it a secret weapon in film scoring, ambient music, and moody songwriting where you need that unmistakable low-end warmth without losing clarity.
Unlike simply tuning a standard guitar down (which causes floppy strings and muddy tone), the baritone guitar uses a longer scale length (typically 27"-30") designed specifically for lower tunings. This gives each note clarity and definition even in the lowest register. Session musicians, film composers, and bedroom producers alike reach for the baritone when they need dark, atmospheric textures, doom-laden riffs, or simply a different sonic palette that standard guitar can't deliver.
Notable artists: Pat Metheny, Nels Cline, Brian Setzer, Baritone session players in Nashville
Best for: Moody songwriting, film scoring, ambient textures, doom metal, and any production that needs low-end depth with clarity
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.
Chord Progressions Using This Scale
- I – ♯I°7 – ii – V (Diminished Cliché)Jazz / Soul — Nostalgic & Vintage
Explore This Scale in Other Tunings
- F# Half-whole Diminished in Standard Tuning
- F# Half-whole Diminished in Drop D
- F# Half-whole Diminished in DADGAD
- F# Half-whole Diminished in Open G
- F# Half-whole Diminished in 7-string
- F# Half-whole Diminished in 8-string
- F# Half-whole Diminished in Drop C
- F# Half-whole Diminished in Drop B
- F# Half-whole Diminished in Open D