Symmetrical Scales for Guitar - Quick Beginner Guide

What Is a Symmetrical Scale?

A symmetrical scale is a scale built from a repeating interval pattern.

In ordinary scales like C major, the intervals are uneven:

C – D – E – F – G – A – B – C

Pattern:
Whole – Whole – Half – Whole – Whole – Whole – Half

This pattern is not symmetrical.

A symmetrical scale, however, repeats evenly.

To understand symmetrical scales, you must understand intervals.

An interval is the distance between two notes.

Common intervals:

Half step = 1 semitone

Whole step = 2 semitones

Symmetrical scales repeat these intervals in a regular way.

For example:

Whole-tone scale → all whole steps

Diminished scale → alternating half and whole steps

Because the pattern repeats evenly, the scale sounds balanced and unusual.

The Whole-Tone Scale

The whole-tone scale is one of the simplest symmetrical scales.

Example in C:

C – D – E – F♯ – G♯ – A♯ – C

Pattern:

Whole – Whole – Whole – Whole – Whole – Whole

Why It Is Symmetrical

- Each interval is identical.

- The octave is divided evenly into six equal parts.

Sound

The whole-tone scale sounds:

- dreamy

- floating

- unresolved

It is often used in impressionist music and film soundtracks.

The Diminished (Octatonic) Scale

The diminished scale is one of the most famous symmetrical scales, it contains eight notes.

Example in C:

C – D♭ – E♭ – E – F♯ – G – A – B♭ – C

Pattern:

Half step – Whole step – Half step – Whole step…

There are two modes for the diminished scale, depending on you start on the whole or the half-step, thus giving the whole-half diminished scale and the half-whole diminished scale.

Why It Is Symmetrical

The interval pattern repeats perfectly.

Because of this:

the scale can start in multiple places

many notes function similarly

chords repeat in balanced shapes

Sound

The diminished scale sounds:

- tense

- dramatic

- mysterious

It is common in:

- jazz solos

- suspense music

- orchestral writing

The Chromatic Scale

The chromatic scale contains all twelve notes in Western music.

Example in C:

C – C♯ – D – D♯ – E – F – F♯ – G – G♯ – A – A♯ – B – C

Pattern:

Half step – Half step – Half step…

Why It Is Symmetrical

Every interval is the same size.

The octave is divided evenly into twelve equal parts, creating perfect symmetry.

Sound

The chromatic scale sounds:

- tense

- dramatic

- unstable

Because all notes are included, there is little sense of a strong tonal center.

The Augmented Scale

The augmented scale is a symmetrical scale built from alternating intervals of minor thirds and half steps.

Example in C:

C – E♭ – E – G – G♯ – B – C

Pattern:

Minor third – Half step – Minor third – Half step…

Why It Is Symmetrical

The interval pattern repeats evenly throughout the scale.

Because of this repetition, the scale has a balanced and symmetrical structure.

Sound

The augmented scale sounds:

- mysterious

- unusual

- colorful

It creates an exotic and unstable feeling because it does not strongly suggest a single key center.

Symmetry and Tonal Center

Most music has a tonal center — a note that feels like “home.”

In symmetrical scales, this feeling becomes weaker.

Why?

Because the notes are evenly spaced, no single note stands out strongly.

This creates:

- ambiguity

- tension

- instability

That is why symmetrical scales are useful for creating suspense or movement.

Use

Jazz musicians often use symmetrical scales over dominant chords.

The diminished scale is especially important for improvisation because it contains many chord tensions.

Jazz players use it to:

- create fast melodic patterns

- increase harmonic tension

- move smoothly between chords

Important jazz musicians who explored symmetrical harmony include:

John Coltrane

Thelonious Monk

and many others