Diminished Patterns Inspired by Wynton Kelly

In our series on famous jazz pianists’ phrases, we turn from Bud Powell to Wynton Kelly.

This example comes from Kelly’s solo on “I’ll Close My Eyes,” from trumpeter Blue Mitchell’s album Blue Moods. The phrase uses the A half–whole diminished scale (also called the half–whole octatonic scale). Study the score below.

Here is a performance demonstration.

Kelly simply begins on B♭, the ♭9 of A7, and moves stepwise through the notes of the A half–whole diminished scale. Even a straightforward scale run can sound compelling in the right context.

From beat 3 of bar 3, the notes change. It makes more sense to hear this passage as outlining chord tones of Dm7.

You may encounter both “half–whole diminished scale” and “half–whole scale.” Learn both names so that you recognize the sound and terminology in lessons and sessions.

I hope this phrase helps you expand your vocabulary, whether you study jazz piano on your own or regularly attend jam sessions.