Time to get practical, with two sets of real live diminished scale-tone practice patterns (STPPs).

First set - Triplets, Numbers 1 to 7

The patterns are in triplets - three notes per beat. The triplets either run up or down, or they skip up-down or down-up.

The diminished chord tones are marked with a little arrow above the music. All the patterns are in C diminished.

Don't try to read from the thumbnail - download the lesson PDF.

Here is the video for the first set. It's at performance speed - something to aim for - so you MUST understand the pattern - "the triplets either run up or down, or they skip up-down or down-up" - and play that.

The fingering must 'sort itself out'. The patterns don't go far, up or down, so you've plenty of time bluff your way through!

Second Set - Semiquavers, Numbers 7 to 14

The patterns in the second set are in straight semiquavers.

Here is the performance video. Listen, and pin down the patterns, one at a time.

Diminished scales don't actually have a key. They are symmetrical, without a 'home' centre. This makes playing them an excellent opportunity to appreciate pure melodic shape.