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The Half-Diminished Pentatonic Scale - Theory, Licks and Guitar Shapes

This guitar lesson proposes two half-diminished pentatonic scales : one with a minor second (b2) and one with a major second (2).

Half-Diminished Pentatonic Scale With a b2

The half-diminished pentatonic scale with a b2 formula is:

  • Tonic (1)
  • minor second (b2)
  • minor third (b3)
  • diminished fifth (b5)
  • minor seventh (b7).

It can also be seen as a pair of triads (1 diminished triad + 1 minor triad),  used for soloing over any m7b5 chord in a minor II V I progression for example.

Dm7b5 penta D Eb F Ab C
Formula 1 b2 (b9) b3 b5 b7
Half diminished pentatonic scale guitar charts

The example below show how you can use the m7b5 pentatonic scale in a minor II V I progression.

 This lick is taken from the printable PDF eBook "25 PENTATONIC LICKS FOR JAZZ GUITAR"

Half-Diminished Pentatonic Scale With a Major 2

There is another m7b5 pentatonic scale spelled:

  • tonic (1)
  • second (2)
  • minor third (b3)
  • diminished fifth (b5)
  • minor seventh (b7).

This scale can be used over 7b9b13 chords starting from the minor seventh (b7).

Indeed, this will highlight the b9 and b13 of the dominant 7 chord. For example, just play Fm7b5 pentatonic over G7b9b13.

Fm7b5 penta F G Ab B Eb
Formula 1 2 (9) b3 b5 b7

 

F7mb5 pentatonic scale against G7b9b13

Fm7b5 penta F G Ab B Eb
G7b9b13 b7 1 b9 3 b13
Half diminished pentatonic scale guitar charts 2

The lick below is based on a turnaround variation with 4 dominant chords.

This exercise involves playing two minor pentatonic scales over E7 and D7, Gm7b5 pentatonic over A7(b9b13) and a G dominant pentatonic over G7.

5 Position Shapes

The diagrams below show the 5 guitar positions for the two half-diminished scales.

Half diminished pentatonic scale guitar
Half diminished pentatonic scale guitar 2

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Last edited: 2024-07-29

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