Bdim7
Bdim7 is the b diminished 7th chord, spelled B – D – F – A♭. perfectly symmetrical stacked minor thirds — the ultimate passing chord, able to resolve almost anywhere.
The keys
B – D – F – A♭
Practise this chord
Plug in your MIDI keyboard and let Coach Tshepho drill you on Bdim7 — it plays the chord, names any wrong notes as you play, and moves you on when you nail it.
Create your free account →What's inside Bdim7
| Note | Interval from root | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| B | Root | 1 |
| D | Minor 3rd | b3 |
| F | Diminished 5th | b5 |
| A♭ | Diminished 7th | bb7 |
Inversions
| Position | Keys (low → high) |
|---|---|
| Root position | B4 – D5 – F5 – A♭5 |
| 1st inversion | D5 – F5 – A♭5 – B5 |
| 2nd inversion | F5 – A♭5 – B5 – D6 |
| 3rd inversion | A♭5 – B5 – D6 – F6 |
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 – A♭3 |
| Right (colour) | D5 – F5 |
Where Bdim7 lives
As the ii chord
Bdim7 → E7 → Amaj7
Minor-family sevenths live on the ii — this is the move they were born for.
Stepwise colour
B → Bdim7 → D♭m7
Used as a passing colour between neighbouring chords.
Put Bdim7 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 →More B chords
B
Bm
Bdim
Baug
Bsus2
Bsus4
B6
Bm6
B7
Bmaj7
Bm7
Bm7♭5
Bm(maj7)
B9
Bmaj9
Bm9
Badd9
B6/9
Bm11
B13
B7♭9
B7♯9
B7♯5Play it over a groove
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