Symmetric Scales

What is a Symmetric 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

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

Db whole tone scale

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

The Chromatic Scale | Guitar Lesson with Diagrams and Licks

This guitar lesson with neck diagrams, scale charts, patterns and licks with tabs explains what is the chromatic scale.
Diminished Scales | Half-whole and whole-half | Guitar Lesson with Diagrams & Licks

This jazz guitar lesson with guitar shapes, scale charts and jazz licks will help you learn the whole-half and half-whole 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

This lesson with charts and shapes explains what is the augmented scale and how to play it on the guitar neck.