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
Pentatonic Scale
View all scalesterms →A five-note scale found in musical traditions worldwide
Bebop ScaleA jazz scale that adds one chromatic passing note to a standard seven-note scale, ensuring chord tones fall on strong beats.
Harmonic Minor ScaleA minor scale with a raised seventh degree, creating a distinctive augmented second between the sixth and seventh notes.
Whole-Tone ScaleA six-note scale built entirely from whole tones
Blues ScaleA six-note scale derived from the minor pentatonic with an added flattened fifth, central to blues and rock music.
Compare with similar terms
v1 · 10/04/2026Browse all terms →