The E Diminished chord is a three-note chord made up of E, G, and B♭. It is built from a root, minor third, and diminished fifth.
Construction
E Diminished = Root + Minor 3rd + Diminished 5th = E · G · B♭
| Note | Interval | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| E | Root | 1 |
| G | Minor 3rd | ♭3 |
| B♭ | Diminished 5th | ♭5 |
E Diminished Inversions
| Position | Notes |
|---|---|
| Root Position | E – G – B♭ |
| 1st Inversion | G – B♭ – E |
| 2nd Inversion | B♭ – E – G |
Key Signature
A Diminished 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.
How E Diminished functions in a key
The same chord takes on a different harmonic role depending on the key it appears in. Here is where E Diminished sits diatonically across the common keys:
- In F major, E Diminished is the vii° chord — the dominant.
- In D minor, E Diminished is the ii° chord — a predominant.
E Diminished — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the E Diminished chord on piano?
The E Diminished chord contains the notes E – G – B♭. On piano, play these notes together to sound the chord.
What notes are in the E Diminished chord?
The E Diminished chord contains: E (root), G (minor third), and Bb (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 E Diminished differ from E Minor?
E Minor has a perfect fifth. E Diminished lowers the fifth by one semitone to Bb (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 E Diminished?
E Diminished is written as Edim or E°. The ° or "dim" symbol means both the third and fifth are minor/diminished. Do not confuse with Edim7 or Eø (half-diminished), which include additional notes.
What are the inversions of E Diminished?
First inversion (E Diminished/G): G–Bb–E. Second inversion (E Diminished/Bb): Bb–E–G. Diminished triads are used in classical music as the vii° chord — the chord one semitone below the tonic, with strong resolution pull.
How is E Diminished used in music?
E 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.