Jermaine Griggs
& Chuku Onyemachi
QUICK
REFERENCE ON
Diminished
Seventh
Chords
CHAPTER 1
The Diminished Seventh
Chord Defined
The diminished seventh chord is the seventh degree chord of the
[harmonic] minor scale.
In the previous quick reference guide, we studied the halfdiminished
seventh chord, which is the seventh degree chord of the
major scale.
In this guide, we are studying the diminished seventh chord, which is
the seventh degree of the
minor scale.
Owing to the limitations or shortcomings of the natural minor scale,
we are going to be exploring the chord formation of the diminished
harmonic
seventh chord using the minor scale.
Using the A harmonic minor scale:
...as a reference, the diminished seventh chord is the chord of the
seventh degree (which is G# in this case.)
If you use my pickskip technique, you can easily fish out the notes
of the chord of the seventh degree. Here we go...
Pick G#:
...skip A, pick B:
…skip C, pick D:
…skip E, and pick F:
If you put together all the notes that we have picked, we'll have G#,
B, D, and F (the G# diminished seventh chord).
Now if we transpose G# diminished seventh chord to C, we'll have:
C, Eb, Gb, and Bbb
Considering that my chord share tool is not able to write double flats
[and double sharps] yet, you'll permit me to represent the C
diminished seventh chord as:
C, Eb, Gb, and A.
Substituting Bbb with A is not just because they are enharmonically
equivalent but because it makes the spelling simpler. I said this to say
that I will not be strict with the proper spelling of chords that we
always emphasize.
Before we get into the next chapter, always remember that...
The diminished seventh chord is the seventh degree chord of the
minor key while the halfdiminished seventh chord is the seventh
degree chord of the major key.
CHAPTER 2
Breakdown Of The
Diminished Seventh Chord
In this chapter, we are breaking down the diminished seventh chord
into smaller harmonic fragments known as intervals. These intervals
are the building blocks of this chord.
Quick Tip : If you want to have a proper understanding of a chord,
break it down into intervals. These smaller fragments (intervals) will
help you understand the distinct harmonic characteristics of the
chord.
So let’s look at the intervals that the G# diminished seventh chord
can be broken down into.
From G# to B:
...is a
minor third
.
From G# to D:
...is a
diminished fifth
.
From G# to F:
...is a
diminished seventh
.
Put together, the diminished seventh chord has three intervallic
components:
● The minor third
● The diminished fifth
● The diminished seventh interval
Let’s subject these intervallic components to further analysis...
#1 The minor third interval
The quality of the third in a chord determines the quality of that
chord. The major third makes a major chord quality while the minor
third makes a minor chord quality. Considering that the diminished
seventh chord has a minor third, it is of a minor quality.
#2 The diminished fifth interval
The diminished fifth interval is one the earliest harsh intervals to be
discovered and therefore is synonymous with dissonance in music.
Heck, it was even called diabolus in musica (the devil in music) so
many centuries ago. For all intents and purposes, the diminished fifth
interval represents
instability and
tension
. Therefore, chords that
contain the diminished fifth interval tend to resolve to chords that
contain the perfect fifth interval.
Note:
The perfect fifth interval is considered as a universally
consonant interval.
Alright, let’s get on to the next intervallic component, which is the
diminished seventh interval.
#3 The diminished seventh interval
Permit me to use the C diminished seventh interval as a reference in
this segment.
The major seventh interval in the key of C consists of the first and
seventh scale tones C and B:
...respectively.
Lowering the B note [by a half step] to Bb, produces C and Bb the
minor seventh interval.
If we lower the Bb by another half step, this will produce C and Bbb
the diminished seventh interval.
Interestingly, the diminished seventh interval not only looks like, but
sounds like the major sixth interval even though they differ in
spelling. Let me reiterate that I'll use the major sixth interval to
substitute the diminished seventh interval for simplicity’s sake.
"So put together, how do these three
intervallic components contribute to
the diminished seventh chord?"
Quality: The quality of third determines its quality. In this case, it
starts out minor.
Stability:
The quality of fifth determines the stability of a chord.
Owing to the fact that the diminished seventh chord has the
diminished fifth, it is considered very dissonant and unstable.
Usage: The diminished seventh chord contains the diminished
seventh interval a rare interval.
So the diminished seventh chord contains two dissonant intervallic
components; the diminished seventh and the diminished fifth.
Let's now get into its chord formation.
CHAPTER 3
Alternative Approaches
To The Formation Of
The Diminished Seventh
Chord Defined
In this segment, we're covering the chord formation of the
diminished seventh chord. Like I promised in the beginning, I'll be
giving you various techniques and approaches to its chord formation.
To get started, we will be exploring the scale approach before we
consider other alternative techniques like the interval and chordal
approaches.
Scale Approach to the
Formation of the
Diminished Seventh
Chord
The scale approach to the formation of the diminished seventh chord
involves the use of the octatonic scale, which we’ve covered in a
previous lesson. So I suggest that you read my post on the
octatonic
scale
before you continue.
One of the easiest ways to form a chord using any given scale is the
pickskip technique. Here's how it works...
Pick the note on the keyboard that you desire to form the diminished
seventh chord on, then pick and skip the notes of the diminished
(octatonic) scale.
To form the C diminished seventh chord using the C octatonic scale:
...all you need to do is pick C:
…skip D and pick Eb:
…skip F and pick Gb:
…skip G# and pick A:
If we put together all the notes that we’ve picked so far, we'll have
the C diminished seventh chord:
Submission: We're using the octatonic scale because it is easier than
the seventh mode of the harmonic minor scale. Irrespective of the
scale we use, we will arrive pretty much at the same answer. The
only thing is that we'll be challenged with the issue of proper
spelling, which I submitted in the beginning that we are not going to
stick to the strict spelling of the chords. Therefore, in this lesson,
we'll be substituting the seventh mode of the harmonic minor scale
with the octatonic (diminished) scale.
Now to take us to the next level, we will be exposing ourselves to the
interval approach to the chord formation of the diminished seventh
chord.
Interval Approach to the
Formation of the
Diminished Seventh
Chord
In the beginning of this lesson, we broke down the diminished
seventh chord into three intervals: the minor third, the diminished
fifth, and the diminished seventh intervals, respectively.
However, in this chord formation approach, we'll be substituting the
diminished seventh interval (CBbb) with the major sixth interval
(CA).
So instead of having the minor third, diminished fifth and diminished
seventh interval, we’ll have the minor third, diminished fifth, and
major sixth interval as the intervallic components of the diminished
seventh chord.
Putting the minor third, diminished fifth, and major sixth intervals
together in any key that you are in produces the diminished seventh
chord.
"How do I form the minor third interval?"
The relationship between the tonic (first tone) and the flattened
(lowered) third degree of any given major scale produces a minor
third interval.
"How do I form the diminished fifth interval?"
The relationship between the tonic and the flattened fifth degree of
any given major scale produces the diminished fifth interval.
"How do I form the major sixth interval?"
The relationship between the tonic and the sixth degree of any given
major scale produces the major sixth interval.
Let's put these components together in the key of D.
The minor third interval from D is F:
...F is lower than the third degree of the D major scale (F#) by a half
step.
The diminished fifth interval from D is Ab:
...Ab is lower than the fifth degree of the D major scale (A) by a half
step.
The major sixth interval from D is B:
...B is the sixth degree of the D major scale.
Putting all the intervals in one octave produces the D diminished
seventh chord:
...made up of D, F, Ab, and B.
Attention: The proper spelling of the D diminished seventh chord is
D, F, Ab, and Cb. However, we are not sticking to the strict spellings
of the chords because we want to keep it simple. However, the cheat
sheet contains all correct spellings.
Chord Approach to the
Formation of the
Diminished Seventh
Chord
If you are familiar with the diminished triad that we covered in a
previous week in our FREE 16week chord revival program, then the
diminished seventh chord is within your reach.
It's as easy as adding the sixth tone of the major scale from the root
of the diminished triad to produce the diminished seventh chord.
So if you are familiar with the C diminished triad:
...which consists of C, Eb, and Gb, all you need to do is to add the
sixth tone of the C major scale (which is A):
...to the C diminished triad:
...to produce the C diminished seventh chord:
Doing this in all the keys will produce the diminished seventh chord
in all the keys.
Final Words
The diminished seventh chords is one tritonic
chord you can reckon
with and this makes it useful in the formation of dominant chords.
The diminished seventh chord contains two mutual tritones. Using
the C diminished seventh chord as an example:
There are two mutual tritones in the C diminished seventh chord...
Tritone #1
CGb:
Tritone #2
EbA:
When our president said this chord sounds scary in GospelKeys 300
(where he broke down how to apply the diminished seventh chord),
he meant it. If the interval was known as the "devil in music"
centuries ago, what would you call two of them in one chord?
We'll talk more about the diminished seventh chord later. For now,
make the most of what we've covered and don't forget to download
our free chord cheat cheat.
P.S.
Here are the diminished seventh chords in all keys...
C diminished seventh:
C# diminished seventh:
D diminished seventh:
D# diminished seventh:
E diminished seventh:
F diminished seventh:
F# diminished seventh:
G diminished seventh:
G# diminished seventh:
A diminished seventh:
A# diminished seventh:
B diminished seventh:
Diminished
Seventh
Chord
QUICK REFERENCE ON
DIMINISHED SEVENTH CHORDS
Workbook
126 Exercises
YOU WILL BE GIVEN A NOTE. DETERMINE THE
MINOR THIRD INTERVAL FROM THE NOTE GIVEN.
Question: Given the root note in the key of Db, dot its minor
third interval.
Answer:
Question #1
Question:
Given the C note, dot its minor third interval.
Answer:
Question #2
Question:
Given the F note, dot its minor third interval.
Answer:
Question #3
Question:
Given the Bb note, dot its minor third interval.
Answer:
Question #4
Question:
Given the Eb note, dot its minor third interval.
Answer:
Question #5
Question:
Given the Ab note, dot its minor third interval.
Answer:
Question #6
Question:
Given the Db note, dot its minor third interval.
Answer:
Question #7
Question:
Given the Gb note, dot its minor third interval.
Answer:
Question #8
Question:
Given the B note, dot its minor third interval.
Answer:
Question #9
Question:
Given the E note, dot its minor third interval.
Answer:
Question #10
Question:
Given the A note, dot its minor third interval.
Answer:
Question #11
Question:
Given the D note, dot its minor third interval.
Answer:
Question #12
Question:
Given the G note, dot its minor third interval.
Answer:
Question #13
Question:
Given the C note, dot its minor third interval.
Answer:
Question #14
Question:
Given the G note, dot its minor third interval.
Answer:
Question #15
Question:
Given the D note, dot its minor third interval.
Answer:
Question #16
Question:
Given the A note, dot its minor third interval.
Answer:
Question #17
Question:
Given the E note, dot its minor third interval.
Answer:
Question #18
Question:
Given the B note, dot its minor third interval.
Answer:
Question #19
Question:
Given the Gb note, dot its minor third interval.
Answer:
Question #20
Question:
Given the Db note, dot its minor third interval.
Answer:
Question #21
Question:
Given the Ab note, dot its minor third interval.
Answer:
Question #22
Question:
Given the Eb note, dot its minor third interval.
Answer:
Question #23
Question:
Given the Bb note, dot its minor third interval.
Answer:
Question #24
Question:
Given the F note, dot its minor third interval.
Answer:
YOU WILL BE GIVEN A NOTE. DETERMINE THE
DIMINISHED FIFTH INTERVAL FROM THE NOTE
GIVEN.
Question: Given the Db note, dot its diminished fifth
interval.
Answer:
Question #25
Question:
Given the C note, dot its diminished fifth interval.
Answer:
Question #26
Question:
Given the F note, dot its diminished fifth interval.
Answer:
Question #27
Question: Given the Bb note, dot its diminished fifth
interval.
Answer:
Question #28
Question: Given the Eb note, dot its diminished fifth
interval.
Answer:
Question #29
Question: Given the Ab note, dot its diminished fifth
interval.
Answer:
Question #30
Question: Given the Db note, dot its diminished fifth
interval.
Answer:
Question #31
Question: Given the Gb note, dot its diminished fifth
interval.
Answer:
Question #32
Question:
Given the B note, dot its diminished fifth interval.
Answer:
Question #33
Question:
Given the E note, dot its diminished fifth interval.
Answer:
Question #34
Question:
Given the A note, dot its diminished fifth interval.
Answer:
Question #35
Question:
Given the D note, dot its diminished fifth interval.
Answer:
Question #36
Question:
Given the G note, dot its diminished fifth interval.
Answer:
Question #37
Question:
Given the C note, dot its diminished fifth interval.
Answer:
Question #38
Question:
Given the G note, dot its diminished fifth interval.
Answer:
Question #39
Question:
Given the D note, dot its diminished fifth interval.
Answer:
Question #40
Question:
Given the A note, dot its diminished fifth interval.
Answer:
Question #41
Question:
Given the E note, dot its diminished fifth interval.
Answer:
Question #42
Question:
Given the B note, dot its diminished fifth interval.
Answer:
Question #43
Question: Given the Gb note, dot its diminished fifth
interval.
Answer:
Question #44
Question: Given the Db note, dot its diminished fifth
interval.
Answer:
Question #45
Question: Given the Ab note, dot its diminished fifth
interval.
Answer:
Question #46
Question: Given the Eb note, dot its diminished fifth
interval.
Answer:
Question #47
Question: Given the Bb note, dot its diminished fifth
interval.
Answer:
Question #48
Question:
Given the F note, dot its diminished fifth interval.
Answer:
YOU WILL BE GIVEN A NOTE. FORM THE SIXTH
INTERVAL FROM THE NOTE GIVEN.
Question:
Given the Db note, dot its major sixth interval.
Answer:
Question #49
Question:
Given the C note, dot its major sixth interval.
Answer:
Question #50
Question:
Given the F note, dot its major sixth interval.
Answer:
Question #51
Question:
Given the Bb note, dot its major sixth interval.
Answer:
Question #52
Question:
Given the Eb note, dot its major sixth interval.
Answer:
Question #53
Question:
Given the Ab note, dot its major sixth interval.
Answer:
Question #54
Question:
Given Db note, dot its major sixth interval.
Answer:
Question #55
Question:
Given the Gb note, dot its major sixth interval.
Answer:
Question #56
Question:
Given the B note, dot its major sixth interval.
Answer:
Question #57
Question:
Given the E note, dot its major sixth interval.
Answer:
Question #58
Question:
Given the A note, dot its major sixth interval.
Answer:
Question #59
Question:
Given the D note, dot its major sixth interval.
Answer:
Question #60
Question:
Given the G note, dot its major sixth interval.
Answer:
Question #61
Question:
Given the C note, dot its major sixth interval.
Answer:
Question #62
Question:
Given the G note, dot its major sixth interval.
Answer:
Question #63
Question:
Given the D note, dot its major sixth interval.
Answer:
Question #64
Question:
Given the A note, dot its major sixth interval.
Answer:
Question #65
Question:
Given the E note, dot its major sixth interval.
Answer:
Question #66
Question:
Given the B note, dot its major sixth interval.
Answer:
Question #67
Question:
Given the Gb note, dot its major sixth interval.
Answer:
Question #68
Question:
Given the Db note, dot its major sixth interval.
Answer:
Question #69
Question:
Given the Ab note, dot its major sixth interval.
Answer:
Question #70
Question:
Given the Eb note, dot its major sixth interval.
Answer:
Question #71
Question:
Given the Bb note, dot its major sixth interval.
Answer:
Question #72
Question:
Given the F note, dot its major sixth interval.
Answer:
YOU WILL BE GIVEN THE OCTATONIC SCALE IN
ANY KEY TO FORM A DIMINISHED SEVENTH
CHORD.
Question:
Given the Db octatonic scale, derive the Db
diminished seventh chord.
Answer:
Question #73
Question:
Given the C octatonic scale, derive the C
diminished seventh chord.
Answer:
Question #74
Question:
Given the F octatonic scale, derive the F
diminished seventh chord.
Answer:
Question #75
Question:
Given the Bb octatonic scale, derive the Bb
diminished seventh chord.
Answer:
Question #76
Question:
Given the Eb octatonic scale, derive the Eb
diminished seventh chord.
Answer:
Question #77
Question:
Given the Ab octatonic scale, derive the Ab
diminished seventh chord.
Answer:
Question #78
Question:
Given the Db octatonic scale, derive the Db
diminished seventh chord.
Answer:
Question #79
Question:
Given the Gb octatonic scale, derive the Gb
diminished seventh chord.
Answer:
Question #80
Question:
Given the B octatonic scale, derive the B
diminished seventh chord.
Answer:
Question #81
Question:
Given the E octatonic scale, derive the E
diminished seventh chord.
Answer:
Question #82
Question:
Given the A octatonic scale, derive the A
diminished seventh chord.
Answer:
Question #83
Question:
Given the D octatonic scale, derive the D
diminished seventh chord.
Answer:
Question #84
Question:
Given the G octatonic scale, derive the G
diminished seventh chord.
Answer:
Question #85
Question:
Given the C octatonic scale, derive the C
diminished seventh chord.
Answer:
Question #86
Question:
Given the G octatonic scale, derive the G
diminished seventh chord.
Answer:
Question #87
Question:
Given the D octatonic scale, derive the D
diminished seventh chord.
Answer:
Question #88
Question:
Given the A octatonic scale, derive the A
diminished seventh chord.
Answer:
Question #89
Question:
Given the E octatonic scale, derive the E
diminished seventh chord.
Answer:
Question #90
Question:
Given the B octatonic scale, derive the B
diminished seventh chord.
Answer:
Question #91
Question:
Given the Gb octatonic scale, derive the Gb
diminished seventh chord.
Answer:
Question #92
Question:
Given the Db octatonic scale, derive the Db
diminished seventh chord.
Answer:
Question #93
Question:
Given the Ab octatonic scale, derive the Ab
diminished seventh chord.
Answer:
Question #94
Question:
Given the Eb octatonic scale, derive the Eb
diminished seventh chord.
Answer:
Question #95
Question:
Given the Bb octatonic scale, derive the Bb
diminished seventh chord.
Answer:
Question #96
Question:
Given the F octatonic scale , derive the F
diminished seventh chord.
Answer:
YOU WILL BE GIVEN THE DIMINISHED TRIAD IN A
KEY. DETERMINE THE MAJOR SIXTH INTERVAL OF
THAT KEY.
Question: Given the Db diminished triad, dot the Db major
sixth interval.
Answer:
Question #97
Question: Given the C diminished triad, dot the C major
sixth interval.
Answer:
Question #98
Question: Given the F diminished triad, dot the F major sixth
interval.
Answer:
Question #99
Question: Given the Bb diminished triad, dot the Bb major
sixth interval.
Answer:
Question #100
Question: Given the Eb diminished triad, dot the Eb major
sixth interval.
Answer:
Question #101
Question: Given the Ab diminished triad, dot the Ab major
sixth interval.
Answer:
Question #102
Question: Given the Db diminished triad, dot the Db major
sixth interval.
Answer:
Question #103
Question: Given the Gb diminished triad, dot the Gb major
sixth interval.
Answer:
Question #104
Question: Given the B diminished triad, dot the B major
sixth interval.
Answer:
Question #105
Question: Given the E diminished triad, dot the E major sixth
interval.
Answer:
Question #106
Question: Given the A diminished triad, dot the A major
sixth interval.
Answer:
Question #107
Question: Given the D diminished triad, dot the D major
sixth interval.
Answer:
Question #108
Question: Given the G diminished triad, dot the G major
sixth interval.
Answer:
Question #109
Question: Given the C diminished triad, dot the C major
sixth interval.
Answer:
Question #110
Question: Given the G diminished triad, dot the G major
sixth interval.
Answer:
Question #111
Question: Given the D diminished triad, dot the D major
sixth interval.
Answer:
Question #112
Question: Given the A diminished triad, dot the A major
sixth interval.
Answer:
Question #113
Question: Given the E diminished triad, dot the E major sixth
interval.
Answer:
Question #114
Question: Given the B diminished triad, dot the B major
sixth interval.
Answer:
Question #115
Question: Given the Gb diminished triad, dot the Gb major
sixth interval.
Answer:
Question #116
Question: Given the Db diminished triad, dot the Db major
sixth interval.
Answer:
Question #117
Question: Given the Ab diminished triad, dot the Ab major
sixth interval.
Answer:
Question #118
Question: Given the Eb diminished triad, dot the Eb major
sixth interval.
Answer:
Question #119
Question: Given the Bb diminished triad, dot the Bb major
sixth interval.
Answer:
Question #120
Question: Given the F diminished triad, dot the F major sixth
interval.
Answer:
Question #121
Question: Given the C diminished triad, dot the C major
sixth interval.
Answer:
Question #122
Question: Given the G diminished triad, dot the G major
sixth interval.
Answer:
Question #123
Question: Given the D diminished triad, dot the D major
sixth interval.
Answer:
Question #124
Question: Given the A diminished triad, dot the A major
sixth interval.
Answer:
Question #125
Question: Given the E diminished triad, dot the E major sixth
interval.
Answer:
Question #126
Question: Given the B diminished triad, dot the B major
sixth interval.
Answer:
Diminished
Seventh
Chord
QUICK REFERENCE ON
DIMINISHED SEVENTH CHORDS
Workbook
126 Answers
ANSWERS
TO QUESTIONS
1 24
Answer #1
Answer #2
Answer #3
Answer #4
Answer #5
Answer #6
Answer #7
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Answer #9
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Answer #24
ANSWERS
TO QUESTIONS
25 48
Answer #25
Answer #26
Answer #27
Answer #28
Answer #29
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Answer #32
Answer #33
Answer #34
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Answer #36
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ANSWERS
TO QUESTIONS
49 72
Answer #49
Answer #50
Answer #51
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Answer #53
Answer #54
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Answer #57
Answer #58
Answer #59
Answer #60
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ANSWERS
TO QUESTIONS
73 96
Answer #73
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Answer #76
Answer #77
Answer #78
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Answer #80
Answer #81
Answer #82
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ANSWERS
TO QUESTIONS
97 126
Answer #97
Answer #98
Answer #99
Answer #100
Answer #101
Answer #102
Answer #103
Answer #104
Answer #105
Answer #106
Answer #107
Answer #108
Answer #109
Answer #110
Answer #111
Answer #112
Answer #113
Answer #114
Answer #115
Answer #116
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Answer #120
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Answer #126
