A phrase in D♭ minor
- C♯m
- D♯dim
- A♭7
- C♯m
Hear D♯dim in a tonic–chord–dominant–tonic phrase. Its role depends on its position, not just its quality.
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Selected:E♭4G♭4A4
- Root
- 3rd / sus
- 5th
- 7th
- 6th / extensions
D♯dim
D♯ diminished
A root, a minor third and a diminished fifth — two stacked minor thirds.
- Chord tones
- D♯1 · RootF♯♭3 · 3rdA♭5 · 5th
- Formula
- 1–♭3–♭5
- Root / bass
- D♯ / D♯
- Notes played (low → high)
- E♭4 · G♭4 · A4
D♯dim · diminished
How to Use This Chord
Sound & role
An unstable colour; its destination determines whether it connects chords or creates tension.
Genre examples
Classical
Jazz
Examples of musical settings, not restrictions or claims about how often this chord appears.
Connection & passing potential
A diminished chord can connect to a chord a semitone above its root. It is a passing connection only when placed between surrounding harmonies; the example below demonstrates the resolution.
Diatonic context · example keys
Every chord tone fits these example keys. Other keys may also fit; the chord root is not assumed to be the tonic.
D♭ minor · ii°
natural minor, harmonic minor
E major · vii°
major