Please educate me:
- why is it a Whole-Half diminished scale used over fully-diminished chords and
- why is it a Half-Whole diminished scale used over seventh chords?
Sometimes I see it's said as "commonly used" meaning that there are no rigid restrictions on usage of the diminished scales over specific harmonies, however I understand that common trends are a result of common practice which in turn is a result of what is commonly referred to as simply as "it sounds good".
Example: W-H C-dim scale = C-D-Eb-F-Gb-Ab-A-B-C over C-dim7 = C-Eb-Gb-A
H-W C-dim scale = C-Db-Eb-E-F#-G-A-Bb-C over C7 = C-E-G-Bb
As far as I understand the key to the rationale for using one or another scale over particular harmony lies in the arrangement of half steps over chord tones.
For instance, if using W-H dim scale over C7 harmony the following conflicts will arise:
- F = a half-step over M3rd = E
- Ab = a half-step over P5th = G
- B = a half-step over m7th = Bb
In comparison, the C-Altered scale would only have one obviously conflicting note, Ab = b13th over C7 which is not so bad. I'm not sure how Db = b9 qualifies in terms of conflict with the Root of C7. It's obviously a conflicting note but I don't see it mentioned anywhere as such.
When applying the H-W C-dim scale over diminished harmony the conflicts with the C-dim chord tones are everywhere:
- Db a half step above C = Root
- E a half step above Eb = m3rd
- G a half step above Gb = dim5th
- Bb a half step above A = dim 7th
However when starting the scale on a chord tone all those conflicting notes fall on up-beats making them no worse than mere passing tones. Doesn't sound to me as bad.
As such there are no real conficts present other than the half steps go opposite the normal tendency to resolve to the next chord tone when used in an ascending motion.
However if used in a descending motion over the dim harmony the H-W dim scale sounds just as good as the W-H dim scale in the ascending motion.
I wonder why it isn't mention anywhere? In other words I see no real preference in using W-H or H-W dim scales over dim chords. Moreover usage of one or another is logically connected to the direction of scale run and I assume any patterns that will be associated with the chosen direction.
When the direction is changed however the choice of accidentals could be adjusted (wchich goes against the law of muscle memory and as such leaves us with one scale of preference). It's interesting to know in this respect: what diminished patterns are favoured more, ascending or descending?
However I'm still not sure about usage ristrictions of W-H dim scale over C7. It doesn't look (sorry! - sound ) to me so bad. Besides F-B is a nice tritone that would probably nicely compliment the naturally built-in E-Bb one if used skillfully. 7th chords are all about tension to the highest degree of their potential so I don't see why W-H dim is a no-no as a valid scale choice for them. However I already mentioned possible usage restrictions and they look (sorry again! - sound) reasonably justified.
P.S. Feel free to correct any mistakes I made counting half and whole steps. No wonder these scales cause so much confucion.
P.S.P.S. I don't know how to get rid of all those "however's" in my post. Is it bearable as is?
- why is it a Whole-Half diminished scale used over fully-diminished chords and
- why is it a Half-Whole diminished scale used over seventh chords?
Sometimes I see it's said as "commonly used" meaning that there are no rigid restrictions on usage of the diminished scales over specific harmonies, however I understand that common trends are a result of common practice which in turn is a result of what is commonly referred to as simply as "it sounds good".
Example: W-H C-dim scale = C-D-Eb-F-Gb-Ab-A-B-C over C-dim7 = C-Eb-Gb-A
H-W C-dim scale = C-Db-Eb-E-F#-G-A-Bb-C over C7 = C-E-G-Bb
As far as I understand the key to the rationale for using one or another scale over particular harmony lies in the arrangement of half steps over chord tones.
For instance, if using W-H dim scale over C7 harmony the following conflicts will arise:
- F = a half-step over M3rd = E
- Ab = a half-step over P5th = G
- B = a half-step over m7th = Bb
In comparison, the C-Altered scale would only have one obviously conflicting note, Ab = b13th over C7 which is not so bad. I'm not sure how Db = b9 qualifies in terms of conflict with the Root of C7. It's obviously a conflicting note but I don't see it mentioned anywhere as such.
When applying the H-W C-dim scale over diminished harmony the conflicts with the C-dim chord tones are everywhere:
- Db a half step above C = Root
- E a half step above Eb = m3rd
- G a half step above Gb = dim5th
- Bb a half step above A = dim 7th
However when starting the scale on a chord tone all those conflicting notes fall on up-beats making them no worse than mere passing tones. Doesn't sound to me as bad.
As such there are no real conficts present other than the half steps go opposite the normal tendency to resolve to the next chord tone when used in an ascending motion.
However if used in a descending motion over the dim harmony the H-W dim scale sounds just as good as the W-H dim scale in the ascending motion.
I wonder why it isn't mention anywhere? In other words I see no real preference in using W-H or H-W dim scales over dim chords. Moreover usage of one or another is logically connected to the direction of scale run and I assume any patterns that will be associated with the chosen direction.
When the direction is changed however the choice of accidentals could be adjusted (wchich goes against the law of muscle memory and as such leaves us with one scale of preference). It's interesting to know in this respect: what diminished patterns are favoured more, ascending or descending?
However I'm still not sure about usage ristrictions of W-H dim scale over C7. It doesn't look (sorry! - sound ) to me so bad. Besides F-B is a nice tritone that would probably nicely compliment the naturally built-in E-Bb one if used skillfully. 7th chords are all about tension to the highest degree of their potential so I don't see why W-H dim is a no-no as a valid scale choice for them. However I already mentioned possible usage restrictions and they look (sorry again! - sound) reasonably justified.
P.S. Feel free to correct any mistakes I made counting half and whole steps. No wonder these scales cause so much confucion.
P.S.P.S. I don't know how to get rid of all those "however's" in my post. Is it bearable as is?