stringery

B♭ 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

  • B♭root
  • D♭minor 3rd
  • F♭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.

  • D♯m

    iii. Settles onto iii.

Sounds close

  • D♭dim7

    Shares 3 of its notes. Both have B♭, D♭ and F♭.

  • G♭7

    Shares 3 of its notes. Both have B♭, D♭ and F♭.

  • D♭m

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

  • G♭

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

Keys it lives in