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ENEN
Standard
Scales
Chords
D
Ionian with Diminished Fifth
Frets: 0 - 24

Formula
Notes

M2-M2-m2-m3-m2-M2
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
E
B
G
D
E
A
1
F
C
E
B
F
2
G
D
A
G
3
B
F
C
4
E
G
D
5
A
C
A
6
B
F
D
E
B
7
G
A
8
C
E
B
F
C
9
D
G
D
10
A
F
C
11
E
B
G
D
E
12
A
13
F
C
E
B
F
14
G
D
A
G
15
B
F
C
16
E
G
D
17
A
C
A
18
B
F
D
E
B
19
G
A
20
C
E
B
F
C
21
D
G
D
22
A
F
C
23
E
B
G
D
E
24

Basic Scale Information

  • Name: Ionian with Diminished Fifth
  • Type: Altered major scale
  • Formula: 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – ♭5 – 6 – 7
  • Relation with Major Scale: It is a variation of the major scale in which the fifth is lowered by a semitone.

Theoretical Aspects

  • Sound Character: A scale that maintains the typical brightness of the Ionian, but the diminished fifth creates a fracture that gives a surreal color and internal tension.
  • Typical Chord: Maj7♭5
  • Modal Context: Works well on static modal passages or in contexts where one wants to destabilize a major key while maintaining the melodic sense.
  • Harmonic Use: Applicable to improvisations on altered major chords, especially in jazz or experimental contexts.

Musical Context

  1. Musical Styles: Jazz, Fusion, Experimental, Contemporary
  2. Songs using the scale:
    • Solar - Miles Davis
    • Naima (live variations) - John Coltrane
    • Orbits - Wayne Shorter
    • Through the Fire - Chick Corea Elektric Band
  3. Evoked Atmosphere: Dreamy, tense, brilliant but with underlying uneasiness.