stringery

A diminished Diminished & augmented family

Tense and uneasy, like a question.

Easiest shape1 of 5

Square: the root. In colour: the flat 5th, which gives the chord its sound.

Change a finger and see what it becomes

Built from

  • Aroot
  • Cminor 3rd
  • E♭flat 5th

The flat 5th is the most unstable interval there is. It cannot stay put.

Tension: Restless

Hear it in a progression

Where it goes next

Thinking in B♭ major, where it is the vii° chord.

  • B♭

    I. Its top note leads up one fret, straight home.

  • Dm

    iii. Settles onto iii.

Sounds close

  • Cdim7

    Shares 3 of its notes. Both have A, C and E♭.

  • F7

    Shares 3 of its notes. Both have A, C and E♭.

  • Cm

    Shares 2 of its notes. Both have C and E♭.

  • F

    Shares 2 of its notes. Both have A and C.

Keys it lives in