B♭dim7
B♭dim7 is the bb diminished 7th chord, spelled B♭ – D♭ – F♭ – G. perfectly symmetrical stacked minor thirds — the ultimate passing chord, able to resolve almost anywhere.
The keys
B♭ – D♭ – F♭ – G
Practise this chord
Plug in your MIDI keyboard and let Coach Tshepho drill you on B♭dim7 — 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 B♭dim7
| Note | Interval from root | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| B♭ | Root | 1 |
| D♭ | Minor 3rd | b3 |
| F♭ | Diminished 5th | b5 |
| G (spelled A♭♭) | Diminished 7th | bb7 |
Inversions
| Position | Keys (low → high) |
|---|---|
| Root position | B♭4 – D♭5 – E5 – G5 |
| 1st inversion | D♭5 – E5 – G5 – B♭5 |
| 2nd inversion | E5 – G5 – B♭5 – D♭6 |
| 3rd inversion | G5 – B♭5 – D♭6 – E6 |
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) | B♭2 – G3 |
| Right (colour) | D♭5 – E5 |
Where B♭dim7 lives
As the ii chord
B♭dim7 → E♭7 → A♭maj7
Minor-family sevenths live on the ii — this is the move they were born for.
Stepwise colour
B♭ → B♭dim7 → Cm7
Used as a passing colour between neighbouring chords.
Put B♭dim7 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 Bb chords
B♭
B♭m
B♭dim
B♭aug
B♭sus2
B♭sus4
B♭6
B♭m6
B♭7
B♭maj7
B♭m7
B♭m7♭5
B♭m(maj7)
B♭9
B♭maj9
B♭m9
B♭add9
B♭6/9
B♭m11
B♭13
B♭7♭9
B♭7♯9
B♭7♯5Play it over a groove
Free worship grooves & loops →