C Half-whole Diminished Guitar Scale
Guitar scale in Double Drop D tuning — fretboard diagram
C Half-whole Diminished in Double Drop D — Notes and Intervals
The C Half-whole Diminished scale is a symmetrical scale that is an essential tool for jazz players. On Guitar, the notes are C, Db, Eb, E, F#, G, A, Bb. 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: C, Db, Eb, E, F#, G, A, Bb
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: Double Drop D (D-A-D-G-B-D)
Also known as: dominant diminished, messiaen's mode #2
About Double Drop D Tuning
Double Drop D tuning (D-A-D-G-B-D) lowers both the 6th and 1st strings from E to D, creating a symmetrical frame of D notes around the standard middle four strings. This gives a distinctly resonant, jangly character that has been beloved in folk-rock and acoustic music since the late 1960s.
Neil Young used Double Drop D extensively — 'Cinnamon Girl' features its distinctive droning riff, and 'The Needle and the Damage Done' showcases its intimate fingerpicking potential. Jimmy Page used it on Led Zeppelin's 'Going to California'. Fleetwood Mac's 'The Chain' also employs this tuning. Because only two strings change (both by just one whole step), Double Drop D is one of the easiest alternate tunings to learn — most standard chord shapes on the inner four strings remain unchanged.
Notable artists: Neil Young, Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), Fleetwood Mac, Crosby Stills Nash & Young
Best for: Folk-rock songwriting, D-centric acoustic arrangements, droning fingerpicking patterns, and any song that benefits from rich D-string resonance on both outer strings
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
- C Half-whole Diminished in Standard Tuning
- C Half-whole Diminished in Drop D
- C Half-whole Diminished in DADGAD
- C Half-whole Diminished in Open G
- C Half-whole Diminished in Baritone (B Standard)
- C Half-whole Diminished in 7-string
- C Half-whole Diminished in 8-string
- C Half-whole Diminished in Drop C
- C Half-whole Diminished in Drop B
- C Half-whole Diminished in Open D
- C Half-whole Diminished in Half Step Down
- C Half-whole Diminished in Open E
- C Half-whole Diminished in Open A
- C Half-whole Diminished in Open C