Diminished Chord

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Lesson 42 - Diminished Chord

I. Index 1. Introduction 2. Constructing the Diminished Chord 3. Playing the Diminished Chord 4. Diminished Chord in all 12 Keys 5. Conclusion II. Content 1. Introduction In this lesson, you will learn about the diminished chord. The diminished chord is similar to the major chord, except that the third note and the fifth note of the diminished chord, in root position, is one half step lower than the third note and the fifth note of the major chord, in root position. For example, the notes of the C major chord are C, E, G. The notes of the C diminished chord are C, Eb, Gb. 2. Constructing the Diminished Chord Playing the diminished chord is easy. Just play a major chord in root position, but lower the third note and the fifth note by one half step. Another way to think about it is by using a formula of half steps. Below is the formula for the diminished chord. Root + 3HS + 3HS 3. Playing the Diminished Chord Let's take a look at the diminished chord starting on C. This is called the C diminished chord. In the animation below, the notes of the C diminished chord are first played separately, then together. Compare the C diminished chord above to the C major chord below, which you learned about in the beginner lessons. Notice that the only visual difference between the diminished chord and the major chord is that the third note and the fifth note of the diminished chord, in root position, is one half step lower than the third note and the fifth note of the major chord, in root position. 4. Diminished Chord in all 12 Keys You can play the diminished chord in all twelve keys. Below is a chart of all 12 diminished chords. 5. Conclusion In this lesson, you learned how to play the C diminished chord. There is a diminished chord for each of the 12 keys. Custom Search

I. Index

1.  Introduction

2.  Constructing the Diminished Chord

3.  Playing the Diminished Chord

4.  Diminished Chord in all 12 Keys

5.  Conclusion

II. Content

1. Introduction

In this lesson, you will learn about the diminished chord. The diminished chord is similar to the major chord, except that the third note and the fifth note of the diminished chord, in root position, is one half step lower than the third note and the fifth note of the major chord, in root position. For example, the notes of the C major chord are C, E, G. The notes of the C diminished chord are C, Eb, Gb.

2. Constructing the Diminished Chord

Playing the diminished chord is easy. Just play a major chord in root position, but lower the third note and the fifth note by one half step. Another way to think about it is by using a formula of half steps. Below is the formula for the diminished chord.

Root + 3HS + 3HS

3. Playing the Diminished Chord

Let's take a look at the diminished chord starting on C. This is called the C diminished chord. In the animation below, the notes of the C diminished chord are first played separately, then together.

Compare the C diminished chord above to the C major chord below, which you learned about in the beginner lessons. Notice that the only visual difference between the diminished chord and the major chord is that the third note and the fifth note of the diminished chord, in root position, is one half step lower than the third note and the fifth note of the major chord, in root position.

4. Diminished Chord in all 12 Keys

You can play the diminished chord in all twelve keys. Below is a chart of all 12 diminished chords.

5. Conclusion

In this lesson, you learned how to play the C diminished chord. There is a diminished chord for each of the 12 keys.

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Corrections for

Lesson 44 - 6th Chord

and 6th Chords Chart
Intervals for 6th Chords are : Root + 4HS + 3HS + 2HS, and not Root + 4HS + 3HS + 4HS + 2HS (HS = Half Step)

Lesson 42

Lesson 44

Lesson 43

Lesson 42 - Diminished Chord and Chords Chart

Lesson 43 - Augmented Chord and Chords Chart

Lesson 45	Lesson 51	Lesson 46
Lesson 47	Lesson 48	Lesson 49

Lesson 45 - Sus2 Chords and Sus2 Chords Chart

Lesson 46 - Sus4 Chords and Sus4 Chords Chart

	Zebrakeys.com	Free Online Piano Lessons
Chord Name	Formula	Key of C	Symbol
Major	1 - 3 - 5	C - E - G	M or Maj
Major 6	1 - 3 - 5 - 6	C - E - G - A	Maj6
Major 7	1 - 3 - 5 - 7	C - E - G - B	Maj7
Major 9	1 - 3 - 5 - 7 - 9	C - E - G - B - D	Maj9
Major 11	1 - 3 - 5 - 7 - 9 - 11	C-E-G-B-D-F	Maj11
Major 13	1 -3 -5 -7 -9 -11-13	C-E-G-B-D-F-A	Maj13

Lesson 47 - Major 9th Chords and Chords Chart

Lesson 48 - Major 11th Chords (Maj11) and Chords Chart
[ HS is Half-Step, Review: Lesson 14 - Intervals ]

Intervals

Major 11th Chord

Root

4HS

3HS

4HS

3HS

Formula

Maj 11

Key of C

Cmaj11

These chords are also used in Jazz music

Lesson 49 - Major 13th Chords and Chords Chart

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Lesson 42 - Diminished Chord

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	Zebrakeys. com	Free Online Piano Lessons
Chord Name	Formula	Key of C	Symbol
Major Triad	1 - 3 - 5	C - E - G	M or maj
Minor Chord	1 - 3^b - 5	C - E^b - G	m, or min
Dominant 7th	1 - 3 - 5 - 7^b	C - E - G - B^b	⁷
Major 7th	1 - 3 - 5 - 7	C - E - G - B	M7, or maj7
Minor 7th	1 - 3^b - 5 - 7^b	C - E^b - G - B^b	m7, or -7