A♭dim
Ab Diminished — tense and unstable by design — built from stacked minor thirds, it begs to resolve.
The keys
A♭ – C♭ – D
What's inside A♭dim
| Note | Interval from root | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| A♭ | Root | 1 |
| C♭ | Minor 3rd | b3 |
| D (spelled E♭♭) | Diminished 5th | b5 |
Inversions
| Position | Keys (low → high) |
|---|---|
| Root position | A♭4 – B4 – D5 |
| 1st inversion | B4 – D5 – A♭5 |
| 2nd inversion | D5 – A♭5 – B5 |
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) | A♭2 – A♭3 |
| Right (colour) | B4 – D5 |
Where A♭dim lives
As the I chord
A♭dim → D♭ → E♭ → A♭dim
The classic I–IV–V–I motion with this chord as home.
In a ii–V–I
B♭m7 → E♭7 → A♭dim
The strongest cadence in harmony, resolving onto this chord.
Put A♭dim 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 →