The half diminished scale is a seven-note musical scale. It is more commonly known as the Locrian 2 scale[1] or the Aeolian 5 scale, names that avoid confusion with the diminished scale and the half-diminished seventh chord (minor seventh, diminished fifth). It is the sixth mode of the ascending melodic minor scale.

Half diminished scale
ModesI, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII
Component pitches
C, D, E, F, G, A, B
Qualities
Number of pitch classes7
Forte number7-34
Complement5-34
 {
\override Score.TimeSignature #'stencil = ##f
\relative c' {
  \clef treble \time 7/4
  c4^\markup { Half diminished scale on C } d es f ges aes bes c2
} }

In the key of B, the half-diminished scale built on C is associated with Cm75, which functions as a iiø7 chord in minor (see chord-scale system).

References

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  1. ^ Arnold, Bruce (January 2001). Music Theory Workbook for Guitar: Scale construction and application. muse eek publishing. p. 17. ISBN 1-890944-53-X. Retrieved Jul 10, 2009.