Diminished Scale Secrets Part 1

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Before we look at the diminished scale it is worth noting that we can find  two different modes within the scale:

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Diminished Scale Jazz Improv and Compositions Concepts

To begin with we will use the E diminished scale as it is an easy guitar fingering.

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Diminished Scale Concepts

From the diminished scale we can use Dominant chords in Minor 3rds.

 

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Diminished Scale Jazz Improv and Compositions Concepts

Tetrachord line ascending in Minor 3rds played over a C7 dominant chord.

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Diminished Scale Jazz Improv and Compositions Concepts

Tetrachord Root flat 5 over C7 Dominant Chord

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Diminished Scale Jazz Improv and Compositions Concepts

Below is a fingering that is from a John Mclaughlin sequence using the E diminished scale and is [To Me] a very comfortable fingering. The key is to connect each 4 not grouping [Tetrachord] with the 1s finger. This way the scale flows really easily and comfortably.

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E Diminished Scale Jazz/Fusion music theory and composition lesson John Mclaughlin Style

C DIMINISHED SCALE:

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Diminished Scale Jazz Improv and Compositions Concepts

From C diminished scale we go up in minor 3rds with 7#9’s

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Diminished Scale Jazz Improv and Compositions Concepts
Diminished Scale Jazz Improv and Compositions Concepts

Here we Employ Minor 7ths in minor 3rds

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Diminished Scale Jazz Improv and Compositions Concepts
Diminished Scale Jazz Improv and Compositions Concepts

Next we employ Dominant 7ths in Minor 3rds

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E Diminished Scale Jazz/Fusion music theory and composition lesson
Diminished Scale Jazz Improv and Compositions Concepts

In this example we employ Slash Chords

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E Diminished Scale Jazz/Fusion music theory and composition lesson
Diminished Scale Jazz Improv and Compositions Concepts

To finish with we have some more chord ideas but this time from the g sharp diminished scale.

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Diminished Scale Jazz Improvisation and Fusion music theory lesson
E Diminished Scale Jazz/Fusion music theory and composition lesson

THE 13 FLAT 9 dominant chord

This is the common “Altered” dominant for this scale.

Below is a John Mclaughlin minor 7 flat 5 to a 13 flat 9 This has a masterful and great original fusion sound to it that avoids the predictable diminished cliche

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E Diminished Scale Jazz/Fusion music theory and composition lesson
Diminished Scale Jazz and Compositions Concepts

 

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