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

  • A♭root
  • C♭minor 3rd
  • Dflat 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 A major, where it is the vii° chord.

  • A

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

  • C♯m

    iii. Settles onto iii.

Sounds close

  • Ddim7

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

  • E7

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

  • E

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

  • G

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

Keys it lives in