Ddim
Ddim is the d diminished chord, spelled D – F – A♭. tense and unstable by design — built from stacked minor thirds, it begs to resolve.
The keys
D – F – A♭
Practise this chord
Plug in your MIDI keyboard and let Coach Tshepho drill you on Ddim — 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 Ddim
| Note | Interval from root | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| D | Root | 1 |
| F | Minor 3rd | b3 |
| A♭ | Diminished 5th | b5 |
Inversions
| Position | Keys (low → high) |
|---|---|
| Root position | D4 – F4 – A♭4 |
| 1st inversion | F4 – A♭4 – D5 |
| 2nd inversion | A♭4 – D5 – F5 |
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) | D2 – D3 |
| Right (colour) | F4 – A♭4 |
Where Ddim lives
As the I chord
Ddim → G → A → Ddim
The classic I–IV–V–I motion with this chord as home.
In a ii–V–I
Em7 → A7 → Ddim
The strongest cadence in harmony, resolving onto this chord.
Put Ddim 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 D chords
D
Dm
Daug
Dsus2
Dsus4
D6
Dm6
D7
Dmaj7
Dm7
Dm7♭5
Ddim7
Dm(maj7)
D9
Dmaj9
Dm9
Dadd9
D6/9
Dm11
D13
D7♭9
D7♯9
D7♯5Play it over a groove
Free worship grooves & loops →