Bdim
B Diminished — tense and unstable by design — built from stacked minor thirds, it begs to resolve.
The keys
B – D – F
What's inside Bdim
| Note | Interval from root | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| B | Root | 1 |
| D | Minor 3rd | b3 |
| F | Diminished 5th | b5 |
Inversions
| Position | Keys (low → high) |
|---|---|
| Root position | B4 – D5 – F5 |
| 1st inversion | D5 – F5 – B5 |
| 2nd inversion | F5 – B5 – D6 |
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) | B2 – B3 |
| Right (colour) | D5 – F5 |
Where Bdim lives
As the I chord
Bdim → E → G♭ → Bdim
The classic I–IV–V–I motion with this chord as home.
In a ii–V–I
D♭m7 → G♭7 → Bdim
The strongest cadence in harmony, resolving onto this chord.
Put Bdim 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 →