Diminished Seven Chord

Definition

A diminished seven chord consists of four different pitches stacked in intervals of minor thirds. It has a dissonant and tense quality that often resolves to a more stable chord.

Analogy

Think of a diminished seven chord as a suspenseful moment in a movie soundtrack. Just like how it creates tension before resolving to a calmer scene, this chord adds an element of anticipation and drama to your musical composition.

Related terms

Half-Diminished Chord: Also known as a minor seventh flat five chord, it consists of a diminished triad with an added minor seventh interval on top. It has a melancholic and mysterious sound.

Dominant Seventh Chord: This type of seventh chord is built on the fifth degree (dominant) of any diatonic scale. It has a strong pull towards the tonic chord and is commonly used in blues and jazz music.

Fully Diminished Seventh Chord: Unlike other diminished chords, this one consists of four pitches stacked in intervals of major thirds. It has an even more dissonant sound than the regular diminished seven chord.