Welcome to Jamtrackers
We take backing tracks from YouTube and add the chords, key, and scales behind them, so you always know what to play. Sign up free to save your favorites and find them again later.

F♯ Half-whole Diminished

F♯ · G · A · A♯ · B♯ · C♯ · D♯ · E

Also called the dominant diminished scale, F♯ Half-whole Diminished alternates half and whole steps for eight notes and repeats every minor third. It contains the flat ninth, sharp ninth, sharp eleventh, and thirteenth, which makes it the natural choice over a 7♭9 chord. Essential jazz vocabulary, and its symmetry means one shape moves anywhere.
Left-handed
0123456789101112131415EF♯GAA♯B♯C♯D♯EF♯GB♯C♯D♯EF♯GAA♯B♯C♯GAA♯B♯C♯D♯EF♯GAA♯D♯EF♯GAA♯B♯C♯D♯EAA♯B♯C♯D♯EF♯GAA♯B♯EF♯GAA♯B♯C♯D♯EF♯G

Practice this Scale

Play-alongs where F♯ Half-whole Diminished has been identified to match well with the track.

Soul RnB Guitar Backing Track in A minor - Tight Funky Feel
Samurai Jam Tracks#soul#Aminor#chordchanges
Use this scale over the F# m7b5 chord to introduce tension and resolve smoothly back to the A minor.
Sticky Funk Groove Guitar Backing Track Jam in E Minor
Elevated Jam Tracks#funk#Eminor#chordchanges
Given the presence of the F#m7b5 chord, the half-whole diminished scale adds tension tones fitting perfectly into the funk context.
Swinging Blues Groove Guitar Backing Track Jam in C major
The F# half-whole diminished scale complements the F#m7b5 and F#dim chords, adding an intricate texture to solos.
Blues Soul Ballad Guitar Backing Track Jam in C major
Adding diminished spice to the F# m7b5 and F# diminished chords, creating tension and release.