Octatonic Scale
An eight-note scale built from alternating whole tones and semitones, widely used in late Romantic and modern music.
Category
scales
Pronunciation
/ɒktəˈtɒnɪk skeɪl/
Origin
Greek (okto, eight) + Latin (tonus)
Length
187 words · 1 min read
About Octatonic Scale
The octatonic scale (also called the diminished scale) divides the octave into a symmetrical pattern of alternating whole and half steps. Two forms exist: whole-half (beginning W-H-W-H) and half-whole (beginning H-W-H-W).
More scales terms
Melodic Minor Scale
View all scalesterms →A minor scale that raises both the sixth and seventh degrees when ascending, then reverts to natural minor when descending.
Blues ScaleA six-note scale derived from the minor pentatonic with an added flattened fifth, central to blues and rock music.
Bebop ScaleA jazz scale that adds one chromatic passing note to a standard seven-note scale, ensuring chord tones fall on strong beats.
Chromatic ScaleA scale comprising all twelve semitones within an octave
Major ScaleA seven-note scale with the pattern tone–tone–semitone–tone–tone–tone–semitone
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