Introduction to Diminished and Augmented Scales

Understanding the complexities of diminished and augmented scales can greatly enhance a musician's ability to navigate the rich harmonic textures found in modern music. While these scales are particularly beloved in jazz and contemporary music, their usage and terminology can sometimes be confusing due to varying interpretations and inconsistent nomenclature. This article aims to clarify the different types of diminished and augmented scales and provide insights into their applications.

Diminished Scales: Explaining the Basics

Diminished scales can be a puzzling concept for many musicians, primarily due to their frequent usage in jazz and their variable spellings. Essentially, two main types of diminished scales consist of eight notes each: the whole-half diminished scale and the half-whole diminished scale.

Whole-Half Diminished Scale

The whole-half diminished scale is a sequence of notes where a whole step (W) alternates with a half step (H) in a repeating pattern. For example, starting from C, it would go: C (W), D (H), Eb (W), F (H), Gb (W), Ab (H), A (W), and B (H). It is often used over diminished seventh chords, and it's worth noting that there is no universally accepted "correct" spelling for this scale due to the inherent enharmonic nature of these notes.

Half-Whole Diminished Scale

The half-whole diminished scale features a different pattern: a half step (H) followed by a whole step (W) in a repeating sequence. Using C as the starting note, the sequence would be C (H), Db (W), Eb (H), E (W), F (H), G (W), A (H), and Bb (W).

Other Diminished Scales

These scales are collectively known as diminished scales and can have fewer than eight notes in some variants. They often share the characteristic of having a diminished seventh chord available starting on the tonic note. It's important to note that these scales can vary in their specific note structures, and thus, it's crucial to understand the context in which they are being used.

Augmented Scales: An Overview

In addition to diminished scales, augmented scales are also widely utilized in modern musical contexts, especially in jazz. While augmented seventh chords are common, there are several types of augmented scales that can be used to create rich and complex harmonies.

Standard Augmented Scale

The most common augmented scale is a major scale with the 4th and 5th degrees raised a semitone. For example, the C augmented scale would be C, D, E, F#, G#, B, C. This can also be seen as an A melodic minor scale starting on the 3rd note, C.

Whole Tone Scales

A whole tone scale is another type of augmented scale that consists of six notes, each a whole step apart. An example would be C, D, E, F#, G#, Bb, C. These scales are distinctive due to their lack of tension, making them useful in smooth, flowing passages.

Customized Augmented Scales

Other forms of augmented scales can be created by combining two superimposed augmented triads a semitone apart. For example, one useful variant is the minor third scale with a semitone, which follows the pattern C, Eb, E, G, Ab, B, C. Another variant starts with a semitone instead: C, Db, E, F, G, A, C.

Applications and Contexts

Both diminished and augmented scales play crucial roles in jazz and modern music, offering a wide range of applications and creative possibilities. Musicians often find these scales useful for improvisation, modulation, and adding harmonic color to their compositions. Understanding the unique characteristics and usage of these scales can greatly enhance a musician's technical skill and expressive range.

Conclusion

While the names and spellings of diminished and augmented scales can vary, their usefulness and versatility in modern music are undeniable. By exploring the different types of these scales and their applications, musicians can unlock new dimensions of expression and creativity in their music.