Diminished 7th Chord Scales
The Diminished 7th chord is used a lot in Jazz guitar playing. To construct this scale think, minor 3rd + Minor 3rd + minor 3rd. 3 consecutive minor 3rds. This chord is also known as an equal interval chord 3 consecutive minor 3rds. This e.g. will show you how it works.
G diminished 7th chord
In the 1st measure the notes G, Bb, Db, E form the notes of the G diminished chord. In measure 2, the notes are stacked to form the inversions of the chord. When any of these notes are inverted it retains the same sound. When the notes are inverted e.g. Bb, Db, E, G,(Bb) becomes the root of the chord. When Db is inverted(Db,E,G,Bb) (Db) becomes the root of the chord. when E is inverted(E,G,Bb.Db) (E) becomes the root of the chord. G Diminished 7th Chords: positions and notes In measure 4 the G and Bb diminished chords are written out. Observe the positions. For the G dim it starts on the 5th fret and Bb dim starts on the 8th fret. Measure 5 has a Db dim chord and it starts on the 11 fret. The E dim chords starts on the 2nd fret, Starting on any note the diminished chord always repeats itself a min 3rd or 3 frets up or down. Pick any note e.g. C diminished move up a min 3rd or 3frets and we are in Ebdim, up a min3rd we are in Gb dimup a min 3rd and we are back in A dim. G Diminished 7th Scale and Arpeggios:
Diminished 7th Scale and Arpeggios
whole step-half step theory: Using the theory of whole step-half step, whole step-half step, whole step-half step, whole step-half step we are able to form the required diminished scales. Starting from any note this theory can be applied. Lets start with the G note In measures 1-6 the notes of the G dim scale are written out. The distance of these notes are: G - A=whole step.. A - Bb=1/2step Bb - C= w.s C - C#=1/2s C# - D#=w.s. D# - E=1/2s E - F#=w.s. All these notes form the G Diminished 7th scale. Measure 7 has the A diminished scale ascending and descending Measure 10 has the G diminished 7th arpeggios exercises written out. Measure 13-15 has the A diminished 7th scale exercise written out for your practice. Remember that diminished scales repeats itself every min 3rd up or down. chords that are formed from the G Diminished 7th scale: In measure 16-17 the G diminished 7th chords are spelt out: Gdim, Adim, Bbdim, Cdim, C#dim, D#dim, Edim and F#dim. A Diminished 7th Scale half step whole step:
Half Step Whole step Scale
A - A# =1/2 step A# - C =whole step C - C#=1/2 step C# - D#=whole step D# - E=1/2step E - F#=whole step F# - G=1/2 step From any note use this formula of, 1/2step-whole step, 1/2step-whole step, 1/2 step-whole step, 1/2 step-whole step to form the desired dim scale or chord. Chords found in the the A diminished 7th scale:Adim, A#dim, B#dim, C#dim, D#dim, Edim, F#dim, Gdim. On measure 8 there are some basic arpeggios spelling out the A dim7th scale. Combining the G and A diminished 7th scales:
Combining the G and A Diminished 7th Scales
In measures 1 and 2 we have the G and A diminished 7th scales. The scales are formed using the 1ws-1/2s formula. Measures 4-7 show the chords built from both the scales Measure 8 onwards the combined notes from both the dim scales are written out for you to practice. The G dim scale and its related notes (Bb,Db,E) are known as non movable diminished 7th chords as the notes all belong to the G dim scale. Movable dim 7th scales can start anywhere, if we are in the key of Edim, Gdim, Bbdim and Db dim, we are able to play through all the dim chords,as the notes are a min3rd a part. Summary of Diminished 7th chords/Scales There are only three types of diminished 7th scale C dim=C Eb Gb A Db dim=Db E G Bb D dim=D F Ab B Work out the notes and scales and try to write the notes out as it will help you to see clearly the intervals and the notes that are used. Try writing down any note and with the formulas given write and play out the notes. Moving on to the next lesson on the :
Augmented Chord
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