Symmetric scales
What is a Symmetrical Scale?
Symmetric scales consists of repeated symmetric intervals. The octave is divided in equal parts. The four most important symmetric scales are :
The Chromatic Scale :
The octave is divided in 12 equal parts, it is formed by a succession of half-tones, there is only one chromatic scale, it contains 12 notes.
| C chromatic scale | C | C# | D | D# | E | F | F# | G | G# | A | A# | B |
The Whole Tone Scale :
The whole tone scale is an hexatonic scale, it contains six notes. The octave is divided into six equal parts formed by a serie of whole tones. There are only two whole tone scales.
| C whole tone scale | C | D | E | F# | G# | A# |
| Db whole tone scale | Db | Eb | F | G | A | B |
The Diminished Scales :
There are two modes depending on whether we start with a tone or a half tone and only three scales for each mode.
- The Whole half diminished scale (also called diminished scale) :
| C diminished scale | C | D | Eb | F | Gb | Ab | A | B |
| Formula | 1 | 9 | b3 | 11 | b5 | b13 or #5 | 13 | 7 |
- The half whole diminished scale (also dominant diminished scale) :
| C Dominant diminished scale | C | Db | D# | E | F# | G | A | Bb |
| Formula | 1 | b9 | #9 | 3 | #11 | 5 | 13 | b7 |
The Augmented Scale :
It is formed by musical cells that contains a minor third & a semi-tone.
| C augmented scale | C | D# | E | G | Ab | B |
| Formula | 1 | b3 | 3 | 5 | #5 or b13 | 7 |
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The Chromatic Scale | Guitar Lesson with Diagrams and Licks
The chromatic scale contains the twelve musical notes available on our western instruments. It is a symmetrical scale where every note is a half-step apart. Check out this guitar lesson with neck diagrams, scale charts, patterns and licks with tabs for a better understanding. -
Diminished Scales | Half-whole and whole-half | Guitar Lesson with Diagrams & Licks
The diminished scale can be divided into two modes called fully diminished or dominant diminished whether they start with a whole-tone or a half-tone. This jazz guitar lesson with guitar shapes, scale charts and jazz line will help you make the difference between these two diminished scales. -
The Whole Tone Scale | Jazz Guitar Lesson with Diagrams and Patterns
Guitar lesson with diagrams, formula charts and patterns about the symmetric whole tone scale. -
The Augmented Scale | Guitar Lesson with Diagrams and Exercises
The augmented scale is a symmetric scale rarely used in jazz music but a very interesting tool to spice up your jazz improvisation and expand your theoretical knowledge. It can be seen in different ways because of their several kinds of triads it contains.This lesson with diagrams & exercises will help you to master it