Adim
A Diminished — tense and unstable by design — built from stacked minor thirds, it begs to resolve.
The keys
A – C – E♭
What's inside Adim
| Note | Interval from root | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| A | Root | 1 |
| C | Minor 3rd | b3 |
| E♭ | Diminished 5th | b5 |
Inversions
| Position | Keys (low → high) |
|---|---|
| Root position | A4 – C5 – E♭5 |
| 1st inversion | C5 – E♭5 – A5 |
| 2nd inversion | E♭5 – A5 – C6 |
A working voicing
Split the chord between two hands the way working players do — a solid shell low down, the colour tones up top:
| Hand | Keys |
|---|---|
| Left (shell) | A2 – A3 |
| Right (colour) | C5 – E♭5 |
Where Adim lives
As the I chord
Adim → D → E → Adim
The classic I–IV–V–I motion with this chord as home.
In a ii–V–I
Bm7 → E7 → Adim
The strongest cadence in harmony, resolving onto this chord.
Put Adim under your fingers
Hear every voicing, see the keys light up, and drill it in the interactive Chord & Voicing Lab.
Open the Chord & Voicing Lab →