How to Play the Diminished Whole Tone Scale on the Guitar

The diminished whole tone scale is a modern scale that lacks the tonality most of us are used to in familiar western scales. It can take quite a bit of listening and practice to get used to this highly chromatic and seemingly atonal scale. However, many modern pieces have been composed using such a scale with quite melodious results. Try using this scale next time you practice or compose.

Instructions

1. Place your forefinger on the third fret of the sixth string (low E string.) This is the root note of the scale.

2. Use your forefinger to play the fourth fret of the sixth string. This is the note A-flat, the second degree of the diminished whole tone scale.

3. Play the sixth fret of the sixth string with your ring finger. This is the note B-flat, the third degree of the diminished whole tone scale.

4. Play the seventh fret of the sixth string with your pinkie. This is the note C-flat, the fourth degree of the diminished whole tone scale.

5. Use your forefinger to play the fourth fret of the fifth string (A string.) This is the note D-flat, the fifth degree of the diminished whole tone scale.

6. Play the sixth fret of the fifth string with your ring finger. This is the note E-flat, the sixth degree of the diminished whole tone scale.

7. Play the fifth fret of the fourth string (D string.) This is the final note of the scale. It is one octave higher than the root note you played in Step 1.

8. Play the scale in reverse. Play Steps 7 through 1 (reverse order) to complete the scale.