Explore scales · Ukulele
A blues diminished scale on ukulele
A blues diminished runs A, B♭, C, C♯, E♭, E, F♯, G. Box 1 places roots on string 4 fret 2 and string 2 fret 5.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭2, ♭3, 3, ♭5, 5, 6, ♭7
How do you play the A blues diminished scale on ukulele?
A blues diminished in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 12 notes across 4 strings, from C on the C string at fret 0 up to C on the A string at fret 3. The root falls on the G string at fret 2 and the A string at fret 0.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 0, 2, 3 | G, A, B♭ |
| 3 (C) | 0, 1, 3 | C, C♯, E♭ |
| 2 (E) | 0, 2, 3 | E, F♯, G |
| 1 (A) | 0, 1, 3 | A, B♭, C |
Box 2 · frets 3–6
A blues diminished in box 2 runs from fret 3 to fret 6, 12 notes across 4 strings, from E♭ on the C string at fret 3 up to E♭ on the A string at fret 6. The root falls on the E string at fret 5.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3, 5, 6 | B♭, C, C♯ |
| 3 (C) | 3, 4, 6 | E♭, E, F♯ |
| 2 (E) | 3, 5, 6 | G, A, B♭ |
| 1 (A) | 3, 4, 6 | C, C♯, E♭ |
Box 3 · frets 6–9
A blues diminished in box 3 runs from fret 6 to fret 9, 12 notes across 4 strings, from F♯ on the C string at fret 6 up to F♯ on the A string at fret 9. The root falls on the C string at fret 9.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6, 8, 9 | C♯, E♭, E |
| 3 (C) | 6, 7, 9 | F♯, G, A |
| 2 (E) | 6, 8, 9 | B♭, C, C♯ |
| 1 (A) | 6, 7, 9 | E♭, E, F♯ |
Box 4 · frets 9–12
A blues diminished in box 4 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 12 notes across 4 strings, from A on the C string at fret 9 up to A on the A string at fret 12. The root falls on the C string at fret 9 and the A string at fret 12.
Every note in this box, string by string
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 9, 11, 12 | E, F♯, G |
| 3 (C) | 9, 10, 12 | A, B♭, C |
| 2 (E) | 9, 11, 12 | C♯, E♭, E |
| 1 (A) | 9, 10, 12 | F♯, G, A |
Why it sounds like that
A blues diminished is the eight-note half-whole pattern: H, W, H, W, H, W, H, W. It adds a ♭2 to A hungarian major, keeping the ♭3, 3, ♭5, 5, 6, and ♭7. The scale contains a tritone between A and E♭, but no leading tone.
When to use it
A blues diminished fits A major and A minor chords, adding a ♭2 and ♭5 for tension. Use it over blues, jazz, and funk progressions in A. The scale also works over diminished chords built on B♭, C♯, E, and G.
Which position to practise
Practise Box 1 first. It covers frets 0–3 and keeps the root under the first finger on string 4.
Common questions
What notes are in A blues diminished?
A blues diminished contains A, B♭, C, C♯, E♭, E, F♯, and G. The scale has eight notes. It includes both a minor third and a major third.
Which chords does A blues diminished fit?
A blues diminished fits A major and A minor chords. It also works over B♭, C♯, E, and G diminished chords. The scale adds chromatic tension to blues progressions.
Is A blues diminished the same as A diminished?
No. A blues diminished has eight notes, while A diminished has seven. The blues diminished scale adds a major third and a major sixth.