Diminished

The diminished scale is generated by altenating tone and semi-tone intervals. This divides the octave into nine notes.

A Diminished scale can have four possible key centers, which are the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th notes of the scale. Only 3 diminished scales are needed to address all twelve key centers.

The Diminished scale starting from C (as below) contains the same notes as the Ab, Gb, and A scales. The Diminished scale starting from C# has the same notes as E, G and Bb. Finally, the Diminished scale starting from D has the same notes as F, Ab and B.

The diminished scale may first have been used by the great Russian composer Nikolai Rimsey-Korsakov, who noted his “discovery” in his book “my musical life.”

Some Claim that Rimsey-Korsakov had the peculiar condition of synaesthesia, and that it may have affected his composing style.