The E Diminished 7th chord is a four-note chord made up of E, G, B♭, and D♭. It is built from a root, minor third, diminished fifth, and diminished seventh.
Construction
E Diminished 7th = Root + Minor 3rd + Diminished 5th + Major 6th = E · G · B♭ · D♭
| Note | Interval | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| E | Root | 1 |
| G | Minor 3rd | ♭3 |
| B♭ | Diminished 5th | ♭5 |
| D♭ | Major 6th | 6 |
E Diminished 7th Inversions
| Position | Notes |
|---|---|
| Root Position | E – G – B♭ – D♭ |
| 1st Inversion | G – B♭ – D♭ – E |
| 2nd Inversion | B♭ – D♭ – E – G |
| 3rd Inversion | D♭ – E – G – B♭ |
Key Signature
A Diminished 7th chord is built from symmetrical or ambiguous intervals, so it doesn’t belong to a single key and has no key signature of its own.
Same Notes, Other Names
The notes E – G – B♭ – D♭ aren’t exclusive to this chord. Depending on which note is the bass and how the chord functions, the same pitches also spell the following:
E Diminished 7th — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the E Diminished 7th chord on piano?
The E Diminished 7th chord contains the notes E – G – B♭ – D♭. On piano, play these notes together to sound the chord.
What notes are in the E Diminished 7th chord?
The E Diminished 7th chord (Edim7) contains four notes: E (root), G (minor third), Bb (diminished fifth), and Db (diminished seventh). All four notes are spaced exactly 3 semitones apart, making this a perfectly symmetrical chord.
How does E Diminished 7th differ from E Diminished?
E Diminished is a three-note triad (E, G, Bb). E Diminished 7th adds Db as the diminished seventh. This completes the symmetrical structure and creates maximum harmonic tension.
Why is the Diminished 7th chord symmetrical?
Every note in Edim7 is exactly 3 semitones from the next. Edim7 contains the same pitches as Gdim7, Bbdim7, and Dbdim7 — they are all inversions of the same four notes.
How is E Diminished 7th used in music?
Edim7 functions as a leading-tone chord in F Major, resolving up by half step to F Major or F minor. It also works as a chromatic passing chord and as a dramatic tension builder in classical and jazz contexts.
What songs use Diminished 7th chords?
Diminished 7th chords appear in Michelle (Beatles), throughout Chopin and Beethoven, and in jazz standards for chromatic voice leading. Edim7 specifically resolves naturally to F, making it common in pieces in F Major and F minor.
How many unique Diminished 7th chords exist?
Only three. Edim7 shares its notes with Gdim7, Bbdim7, and Dbdim7. The other two unique groups are Cdim7 and Ddim7. All 12 roots map to just these three distinct sounds.