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