Diminished Matrix Practice Packet
Advanced Guitar Conservatory Series Standard Tuning: E A D G B E
Diminished Matrix Practice Packet
Part I: Octatonic Scale Geometry (Whole-Half & Half-Whole)
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Scale 01
A Whole-Half Diminished Scale (Symmetrical Diminished)
Formula: W - H - W - H - W - H - W - H
Scale Degrees: 1 – 2 – ♭3 – 4 – ♭5 – ♭6 – 6(♭♭7) – 7 – 8 Context: Over dim7 chords (A°7, C°7, E♭°7, F♯°7)
4 4 T A B 5 ⊓ 7 ∨ 8 5 ♭ 6 8 ♯ 4 ♯ 6 7 4 5 7 ♭ 4 6 ♯ 7 5
Scale 02
G Half-Whole Diminished Scale (Dominant Diminished)
Formula: H - W - H - W - H - W - H - W
Scale Degrees: 1 – ♭2(♭9) – ♯2(♯9) – 3 – ♯4(♯11) – 5 – 6(13) – ♭7 Context: Over Dominant 7♭9 / 7alt chords (G7♭9 → Cmaj7)
4 4 T A B 3 ♭ 4 ♯ 6 2 ♯ 4 5 2 3 5 ♭ 1 ♭ 3 ♮ 4 ♯ 2 3 5 3
The 3-Fret Minor-Third Symmetry Rule
Because the diminished scale and chord structures repeat every minor third (3 frets / 1.5 steps), shifting any finger shape up or down by exactly 3 frets produces an exact inversion containing the identical note set:
Root Position Fret 2 / 3 Starting Anchor
+ 3 Frets Fret 5 / 6 Identical Pitches
+ 6 Frets Fret 8 / 9 Identical Pitches
+ 9 Frets Fret 11 / 12 Full Octave Loop
Key Rule: Whole-Half starts with W step (dim7 sound); Half-Whole starts with H step (Dominant V7b9 sound). Page 1 of 2
Diminished Arpeggio Mechanics Standard Tuning: E A D G B E
Diminished Matrix Practice Packet
Part II: Diminished Triads, Full Dim7 Arpeggios & V7♭9 Resolution
Sweep & Alternate Picking
Arpeggio 01
C Diminished Triad (C – E♭ – G♭)
Triad Formula: 1 – ♭3 – ♭5
Stacked minor thirds (Root to ♭3 = 3 semitones; ♭3 to ♭5 = 3 semitones). Forms the foundational dissonance of tension.
T A B 3 ♭ 6 ♭ 4 5 ♭ 4 ♭ 2 8 ♭ 2 ♭ 4 5 3
Arpeggio 02
B Fully Diminished 7th Arpeggio (B – D – F – A♭)
dim7 Formula: 1 – ♭3 – ♭5 – ♭♭7
Every tone is separated by 3 frets. On guitar, every note is equally a root, 3rd, 5th, or 7th.
T A B 2 5 3 ♭ 6 4 7 6 ♭ 4 7 10 13 Slide +3
Application Etude: Over G7♭9 → Resolving to Cmaj7
The "B°7 over G7" Golden Rule
Play a diminished 7th arpeggio starting 1 half-step above the dominant root. Over G7, playing a B°7 arpeggio (B – D – F – A♭) supplies the 3rd, 5th, ♭7th, and ♭9th of G7, creating instant tension before resolving cleanly to Cmaj7.
G7(♭9) [Play B°7 Arpeggio] Cmaj9 [Tension Resolved] T A B 6 4 7 6 4 7 10 7 5 5 5 3
Metronome Speed Target:
60 BPM (Clean) 84 BPM (Smooth) 108 BPM (Speed) 132+ BPM (Mastery)
Guitar Fretboard Symmetry Study • Practice with strict alternate picking (⊓ ∨) and sweep economy. Page 2 of 2
Melodic Minor Practice Packet
Modern Guitar Conservatory Series Standard Tuning: E A D G B E
Melodic Minor Practice Packet
Part I: The Jazz Melodic Minor Scale & Primary Modal Colors
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Scale 01
A Melodic Minor Scale (Jazz Minor / "Minor-Major")
Step Formula: W - H - W - W - W - W - H
Degrees: 1 – 2 – ♭3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 (A – B – C – D – E – F♯ – G♯) Sound: "Major scale with a flat 3rd" • Same ascending & descending
4 4 T A B 5 ⊓ 7 ∨ 8 5 7 ♯ 9 ♯ 6 7 4 5 7 5 ♯ 7 ♯ 9 5
The Powerhouse Modes: Lydian Dominant & The Altered Scale
Mode IV: Lydian Dominant 7(♯11) Sound
Formed on the 4th degree. Dominant chord with a raised 4th/11th: 1 – 2 – 3 – ♯4 – 5 – 6 – ♭7.
Application Example: Over a D7(♯11) chord, play A Melodic Minor. Gives: D (1), E (9), F# (3), G# (#11), A (5), B (13), C (b7).
Mode VII: Altered (Super Locrian) 7(alt) Sound
Formed on the 7th degree: 1 – ♭2(♭9) – ♯2(♯9) – 3 – ♭5(♯11) – ♯5(♭13) – ♭7.
Application Example: Over an E7alt chord, play F Melodic Minor (half-step up from root). Contains every single altered tension!
The Complete 7 Melodic Minor Modes at a Glance
I. Melodic Minor m(maj7) 1 2 ♭3 4 5 6 7
II. Dorian ♭2 sus♭9 1 ♭2 ♭3 4 5 6 ♭7
III. Lydian Aug maj7♯5 1 2 3 ♯4 ♯5 6 7
IV. Lydian Dom 7♯11 1 2 3 ♯4 5 6 ♭7
V. Mixo ♭13 7(♭13) 1 2 3 4 5 ♭6 ♭7
VI. Locrian ♮2 m7♭5(♮9) 1 2 ♭3 4 ♭5 ♭6 ♭7
VII. Altered 7alt 1 ♭2 ♯2 3 ♭5 ♯5 ♭7
Harmonic Insight: Melodic minor produces no "avoid notes" when played over its corresponding modal chords. Page 1 of 2
Melodic Minor Arpeggios & Applications Standard Tuning: E A D G B E
Melodic Minor Practice Packet
Part II: Minor-Major 7th Arpeggios & The Half-Step Altered Trick
Sweep & Modal Phrasing
Arpeggio 01
A Minor-Major 7th Arpeggio [Am(maj7)]
Formula: 1 – ♭3 – 5 – 7 (A – C – E – G♯)
The signature James Bond / Film Noir chord arpeggio. Blends minor sadness with bright major 7th tension.
T A B 5 8 7 ♯ 6 7 5 5 ♯ 4 5 5 5 ♯ 6 5
The Altered Scale Golden Rule: Play +1 Half-Step
Dominant Tension Shortcut
Whenever you encounter a dominant 7th chord resolving down a fifth (e.g., G7 → Cmaj7), play the Melodic Minor scale starting ONE HALF-STEP ABOVE the dominant root (Play over G7).
