D Diminished
Hear the D Diminished chord played for you.
D°
D – F – G♯
Formula:R-m3-d5
Intervals:P1-m3-d5
Scale Degrees:1-b3-b5
Introduction
The D Diminished chord is a three-note chord made up of D, F, and G♯. It is built from a root, minor third, and diminished fifth.
The D Diminished piano chord (Ddim) consists of the notes D, F, G#. It is built by stacking two minor thirds (3 semitones each), giving it a tense, unstable, and dissonant character. Formula: R-m3-d5 | Scale degrees: 1-b3-b5.
Notes
D Diminished Inversions
| Position | Notes |
|---|---|
| Root Position | D – F – G♯ |
| 1st Inversion | F – G♯ – D |
| 2nd Inversion | G♯ – D – F |
Key Signature
The key of D Diminished has 2 sharps.
F♯C♯
Order of sharps
Sharps are added to a key signature in a fixed order. Each new sharp key adds the next sharp on the list.
F♯C♯G♯D♯A♯E♯B♯
Mnemonic: Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle
Chords in the Key of D Major
These are the diatonic triads built on each degree of the D major scale:
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
I — D Major (major)
Theory: Intervals
Formula: R-m3-d5
Intervals: P1-m3-d5
The D Diminished is built by stacking intervals from the root note. The formula R-m3-d5 describes the scale degrees used. The intervals P1-m3-d5 show the distance between each note in the chord.
D Diminished — Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the D Diminished chord?
The D Diminished chord contains: D (root), F (minor third), and Ab (diminished fifth). Both intervals are compressed: the minor third is 3 semitones above the root, and the diminished fifth is 6 semitones — a tritone.
How does D Diminished differ from D Minor?
D Minor has a perfect fifth. D Diminished lowers the fifth by one semitone to Ab (diminished fifth). That extra compression creates intense harmonic tension — the tritone between root and diminished fifth is the most dissonant interval in Western music.
What is the symbol for the D Diminished?
D Diminished is written as Ddim or D°. The ° or "dim" symbol means both the third and fifth are minor/diminished. Do not confuse with Ddim7 or Dø (half-diminished), which include additional notes.
What are the inversions of D Diminished?
First inversion (D Diminished/F): F–Ab–D. Second inversion (D Diminished/Ab): Ab–D–F. Diminished triads are used in classical music as the vii° chord — the chord one semitone below the tonic, with strong resolution pull.
How is D Diminished used in music?
D Diminished most commonly functions as the vii° chord in a major key, creating strong resolution back to the tonic. It also works as a chromatic passing chord between two nearby chords, and in classical music as a brief point of dissonance. Jazz uses the full four-note dim7 more often than the triad.
What songs use diminished chords?
Michelle (Beatles) uses a diminished chord as a chromatic passing chord. Many classical pieces use vii°–I cadences. Jazz standards use dim7 chords as chromatic passing and approach chords. Diminished harmony also appears in flamenco and film music for dramatic tension.
Practice Tips
- Compare D Minor and D Diminished: only the fifth changes (Ab vs perfect fifth). Play both back to back — the extra compression is striking.
- The tritone between D and Ab creates maximum tension — practice just this two-note interval to hear its characteristic sound.
- D Diminished most naturally resolves up by half step: play Ddim then a chord whose root is D raised by one semitone.
- Practice all inversions: D–F–Ab, F–Ab–D, Ab–D–F.
- Use D Diminished as a vii° chord: it is one semitone below D# Major — try Ddim → D# Major to feel this powerful classical resolution.
- In a major key, find where D Diminished fits naturally as a passing chord between two diatonic chords a step apart.
Related Tools
Chord FinderLook up any chord — see the notes, hear it, and play along.Chord DrillTimed drills to build speed and recognition across all chord types.Practice RoomPlug in a MIDI keyboard and get real-time feedback on every chord and scale.Circle of FifthsVisualize key relationships, relative minors, and key signatures.MIDI MonitorLive MIDI message stream with note names, velocity, and a scrolling staff.