Diminished Seventh Arpeggios and the Hybrid Scale

We continue our study of arpeggios with an analysis of diminished seventh arpeggios.

This post will provide fingerings for diminished seventh arpeggios, along with instruction on how to play them on a guitar with any root note.

It will also illustrate how a diminished seventh arpeggio relates to the diminished scale and the Dorian-blues scale.

Diminished Seventh Chord Arpeggios: Theory

The chord formula for a diminished seventh chord is 1, b3, b5, bb7.

A diminished seventh arpeggio fingering contains the same notes as a diminished seventh chord – the first, flatted third, flatted fifth and double flatted seventh degrees of the major scale with the same root note.

For example, both a C°7 chord and a C diminished seventh arpeggio fingering contain the notes C, Eb, Gb and Bbb — the first, flatted third, flatted fifth and double flatted seventh notes in a C major scale (fig.1).

Fig.1

Diminished Seventh Arpeggios: On a Guitar

Fig.2 shows a common fingering for a diminished seventh arpeggio.

Fig.2

This fingering will allow you to play a diminished seventh arpeggio starting on any note:

To play a C diminished seventh arpeggio, start the pattern on the C on the sixth string, eighth fret (fig.3a).
To play an E diminished seventh arpeggio, start the pattern on the E on the sixth string, 12th fret (fig.3b).

Fig.3

Relationship to Scales

A diminished seventh arpeggio is closely related to the diminished scale and the Dorian-blues scales.

The Diminished Scale: Theory

A diminished scale contains all four notes in the diminished seventh arpeggio with the same root note.

For example, a C diminished scale contains all four notes in a C diminished arpeggio (fig.4).

The A in the diminished scale has been enharmonically renamed Bbb to match the spelling of a C°7 chord.

Fig.4

Diminished Scale: On a Guitar

Fig.5 shows a diminished scale fingering, the arpeggio notes highlighted in blue.

Fig.5

This fingering will show you the arpeggio notes in any diminished scale:

To see the arpeggio notes in a C diminished scale, start the pattern on the C on the sixth string, eighth fret (fig.6a).
To see the arpeggio notes in an E diminished scale, start the pattern on the E on the sixth string, 12th fret (fig.6b).

Fig.6

Dorian-blues Scale: Theory

A Dorian-blues scale also contains all four notes in the diminished seventh arpeggio with the same root note.

For example, a C Dorian-blues scale contains all four notes in a C diminished seventh arpeggio (fig.7).

The A in the Dorian-blues scale has been enharmonically renamed Bbb to match the spelling of a C°7 chord.

Fig.7

Dorian-blues Scale: On a Guitar

Fig.8 shos a Dorian-blues scale fingering, the arpeggio notes highlighted in blue.

Fig.8

This fingering will show you the arpeggio notes in any Dorian-blues scale:

To see the arpeggio notes in a C Dorian-blues scale, start the pattern on the C on the sixth string, eighth fret (fig.9a).
To see the arpeggio notes in an E Dorian-blues scale, start the pattern on the E on the sixth string, 12th fret (fig.9b).

Fig.9