Piano Diagram of Db dim in Root Position
The Db dim chord is the diminished triad built upon the D-flat key. It is built by combining the Root note (Db), the minor 3rd (Fb, which is equivalent to E), and the diminished 5th (Abb, which is equivalent to G) notes from the Db scale. Keep reading to learn more about the music theory behind this chord.
Structure of Db dim
Notes |
|---|
| Db, Fb, Abb |
Intervals |
|---|
| R, m3, d5 |
Fingers Position
Left Hand |
|---|
| 3, 2, 1
4, 2, 1 |
Right Hand |
|---|
| 1, 2, 3
1, 2, 4 |
Db dim Chord Inversions
The D dim chord has a total of 2 inversions:
| Root Position: | Db | Fb | Abb |
| 1st Inversion: | Fb | Abb | Db |
| 2nd Inversion: | Abb | Db | Fb |
Piano Keyboard Diagrams
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- Db dim Chord – Root Position
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- Db dim Chord – 1st Inversion
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- Db dim Chord – 2nd Inversion
Music Theory and Harmony of Db diminished
What are Diminished Chords?
In music theory, diminished chords are classified as triads just like major, minor, and augmented chords. A diminished triad is a chord that has a root note, a minor 3rd, and a diminished 5th. They are often abbreviated with a small circle (°) or the letters “dim”. For example, an A diminished chord would be written as A° or Adim.
The interval between the root and the diminished 5th is called a “tritone” and creates a dissonant sound that adds tension and instability. Diminished triads are commonly used as transitional chords, leading to more stable chords.
Different types of Diminished Chords
- Diminished triads are usually considered unstable and are often used as transitional chords that create tension and lead to a more stable chord.
- There are also diminished seventh chords, which include an added diminished seventh interval above the root note. These chords are often written as °7 or dim7. They can also be used as a substitute for dominant 7th chords.
- Additionally, there are half-diminished chords (also known as minor seventh flat five chords), which include a minor seventh interval instead of a diminished seventh.
But for now, let’s explore the simpler diminished triad in the key of D-flat.
Building the Db dim Chord: Different Approaches
Starting from a Major Scale
To build a diminished chord, you begin by selecting the root note, the 3rd note, and the 5th note of the major scale. Next, you lower the 3rd and the 5th note by one half-step.
Db Major Scale
Db Major Scale – Keyless Notation
So, if you want to build a Db diminished chord, you would start with the Db major chord, which consists of the notes Db, F, and Ab. Then, you would lower the third note, F, by one half-step to get Fb (E) and lower the fifth note, Ab, by one more half-step to get Abb (G).
The resulting notes, Db, Fb, and Abb form the Db diminished chord.
by Combining 3rds
Alternatively, a diminished chord can be built by stacking two minor 3rd intervals on top of each other. To get this chord, you begin with the root note and then raise it by a minor 3rd. Next, you raise the third note by another minor 3rd. The resulting chord will consist of three notes that are spaced an equal distance apart.
m3 + m3 = diminished Chords
To create a Db diminished chord, you begin with the root note Db and raise it by a minor 3rd to E. However, to maintain the consistency of the chord structure, we refer to this note as Fb instead.
Next, you raise the third note E (Fb) by another minor 3rd to G (similarly, we refer to this note as Abb to preserve the structure of the chord as a diminished triad with two minor 3rd intervals).
This results in a Db dim chord consisting of the notes Db, Fb, and Abb.
Db dim in a Chord Progression
The tables below display the enharmonic equivalent keys for the Cb minor scale and its relative major scale, which are theoretical keys that include a Db diminished chord. In the Cb minor scale, the Db diminished chord is found on the second scale degree (II), while in the Ebb major scale, it is found on the seventh scale degree (VII).
Due to the high number of accidentals in these keys, it is more practical to refer to their enharmonic equivalent keys.
However, for a more comprehensive list of the uses of the Db diminished chord, please refer to the dim7 tables, where I discuss some of the features of these chords in greater detail.
on Natural minor Scale
| Minor Scale | i | ii | III | iv | v | VI | VII |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cb = B | B min | C# dim = Db dim | D Maj | E min | F# min | G Maj | A Maj |
- Supertonic chord in B minor as C# dim
on Major Scale
| Major Scale | I | ii | iii | IV | V | vi | vii |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ebb = D | D Maj | E min | F# min | G Maj | A Maj | B min | C# dim = Db dim |
- Leading tone chord in D Major as C# dim
Db dim in Cb Minor
Check C# dim in B Minor
Db dim in Ebb Major
Check C# dim in D Major
Alternative Names for D Diminished
- Db°
- Dbdim
- Db diminished
- D-flat diminished