stringery

C diminished Diminished & augmented family

Tense and uneasy, like a question.

Easiest shape1 of 3

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

Change a finger and see what it becomes

Built from

  • Croot
  • E♭minor 3rd
  • G♭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 D♭ major, where it is the vii° chord.

  • D♭

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

  • Fm

    iii. Settles onto iii.

Sounds close

  • E♭dim7

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

  • A♭7

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

  • E♭m

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

  • A♭

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

Keys it lives in