How to Play the Half Whole Diminished Scale for Guitar

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By Matthew Warnock
eHow Contributing Writer

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Play the Half Whole Diminished Scale for Guitar

The half-whole diminished scale has been used by many famous pop, rock, blues and jazz guitarists. Players such as Yngvie Malmsteen, Steve Vai, Pat Metheny and Wes Montgomery have all used this scale on many of their famous recordings.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Step 1

Place the left-hand index finger on the third fret of the fifth string. Pluck the note with a pick or right-hand fingers.
Step 2

Place the left-hand middle finger on the fourth fret of the fifth string. Play the note.
Step 3

Place the left-hand pinky finger on the sixth fret of the fifth string. Pluck the string.
Step 4

Place the left-hand index finger on the second fret of the fourth string. Play the note.
Step 5

Place the left-hand ring finger on the fourth fret of the fourth string. Pluck the string.
Step 6

Place the left-hand finger on the fifth fret of the fourth string. Play the string.
Step 7

Place the left-hand index finger on the second fret of the third string. Pluck the note.
Step 8

Place the left-hand middle finger on the third fret of the third string. Play the string.
Step 9

Play all eight notes in a row to produce the C half-whole diminished scale.

Tips & Warnings

Practice playing the half-whole diminished scale in different keys along the fifth string. The first note of the scale is the root, which indicates the key. For example, starting this scale on the seventh fret produces an E half-whole diminished scale. Learning the whole-half diminished scale, alongside the half-whole diminished scale, will allow you to have command of the diminished sound on guitar.

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