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A blues diminished scale on guitar
A blues diminished runs A, B♭, C, C♯, E♭, E, F♯, G. Box 1 places the root on string 6, fret 5 for fast half-step runs.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, ♭3, 3, ♭5, 5, 6, ♭7
How do you play the A blues diminished scale on guitar?
A blues diminished in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 16 notes across 6 strings, from E on the low E string at fret 0 up to G on the high e string at fret 3. The root falls on the A string at fret 0 and the G string at fret 2.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
| 5 (A) | 0, 1, 3 | A, B♭, C |
| 4 (D) | 1, 2 | E♭, E |
| 3 (G) | 0, 2, 3 | G, A, B♭ |
| 2 (B) | 1, 2 | C, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
Box 2 · frets 2–5
A blues diminished in box 2 runs from fret 2 to fret 5, 17 notes across 6 strings, from F♯ on the low E string at fret 2 up to A on the high e string at fret 5. The root falls on the low E string at fret 5, the G string at fret 2 and the high e string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2, 3, 5 | F♯, G, A |
| 5 (A) | 3, 4 | C, C♯ |
| 4 (D) | 2, 4, 5 | E, F♯, G |
| 3 (G) | 2, 3, 5 | A, B♭, C |
| 2 (B) | 2, 4, 5 | C♯, E♭, E |
| 1 (e) | 2, 3, 5 | F♯, G, A |
Box 3 · frets 5–8
A blues diminished in box 3 runs from fret 5 to fret 8, 17 notes across 6 strings, from A on the low E string at fret 5 up to C on the high e string at fret 8. The root falls on the low E string at fret 5, the D string at fret 7 and the high e string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5, 6, 8 | A, B♭, C |
| 5 (A) | 6, 7 | E♭, E |
| 4 (D) | 5, 7, 8 | G, A, B♭ |
| 3 (G) | 5, 6, 8 | C, C♯, E♭ |
| 2 (B) | 5, 7, 8 | E, F♯, G |
| 1 (e) | 5, 6, 8 | A, B♭, C |
Box 4 · frets 8–11
A blues diminished in box 4 runs from fret 8 to fret 11, 17 notes across 6 strings, from C on the low E string at fret 8 up to E♭ on the high e string at fret 11. The root falls on the B string at fret 10.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 8, 9, 11 | C, C♯, E♭ |
| 5 (A) | 9, 10 | F♯, G |
| 4 (D) | 8, 10, 11 | B♭, C, C♯ |
| 3 (G) | 8, 9, 11 | E♭, E, F♯ |
| 2 (B) | 8, 10, 11 | G, A, B♭ |
| 1 (e) | 8, 9, 11 | C, C♯, E♭ |
Box 5 · frets 11–14
A blues diminished in box 5 runs from fret 11 to fret 14, 17 notes across 6 strings, from E♭ on the low E string at fret 11 up to F♯ on the high e string at fret 14. The root falls on the A string at fret 12 and the G string at fret 14.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 11, 12, 14 | E♭, E, F♯ |
| 5 (A) | 12, 13 | A, B♭ |
| 4 (D) | 11, 13, 14 | C♯, E♭, E |
| 3 (G) | 11, 12, 14 | F♯, G, A |
| 2 (B) | 11, 13, 14 | B♭, C, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 11, 12, 14 | E♭, E, F♯ |
Why it sounds like that
A blues diminished adds a ♭2 to A hungarian major, keeping the same ♭3, 3, ♭5, 5, 6, ♭7. The scale alternates half and whole steps, creating a tritone between A and E♭. Compare it with A hungarian major to hear the added minor 2nd.
When to use it
A blues diminished fits A major and A minor chords, adding tension with the ♭2 and ♭5. Use it over dominant progressions in D major or B minor for a bluesy, outside flavour.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first: the root sits on string 6, fret 5, covering frets 0–3 and setting up the next position.
Common questions
What notes are in A blues diminished?
A blues diminished contains A, B♭, C, C♯, E♭, E, F♯, and G. The scale includes both minor and major thirds, a diminished fifth, and a minor seventh.
Which chords work with A blues diminished?
A blues diminished works over A major and A minor chords. The scale's ♭2 and ♭5 create tension that resolves to chord tones.
Is A blues diminished the same as A diminished?
A blues diminished is an eight-note scale, not a diminished seventh chord. It combines a blues scale with a half-whole diminished pattern.