Mandolin · Level 6 · Intermediate
Diminished passing chords in E♭ major on Mandolin
Don’t just read about Diminished passing chords in E♭ major. Play it.
Create a free TempoJam account in 30 seconds. Then try the tuner, metronome and Jam Room free for 14 days and record your first take tonight.
A diminished seventh chord a half step above I connects it smoothly to ii. It is a staple of jazz, gospel and old-time songs.
E♭
Notes: E♭ · G · B♭
Edim7
Notes: E · G · B♭ · D♭
Fm7
Notes: F · A♭ · C · E♭
B♭7
Notes: B♭ · D · F · A♭
HOW TO PRACTISE IT
Six steps to a clean loop.
- Play each chord on its own: E♭, Edim7, Fm7 and B♭7. Press play on the chord card, then match the sound.
- Mandolin frets are close together, so reach with the fingertips and press each pair of strings evenly.
- Set the tempo to 63 BPM and play the progression with one chord per bar. Move the bass up by a half step each time and keep the shapes close together.
- Strum down on every beat, then try the bluegrass “chop”: a short, muted strum on beats two and four.
- Raise the tempo to 84 BPM once you can play the loop three times without stopping.
- Record one take, listen back and check for a chromatic climb from I to ii in the bass.
Listen for
Aim for a chromatic climb from I to ii in the bass. A common mistake is holding the diminished chord too long so it sounds unresolved.
Why it works
♯i°7 works like a V7♭9 of ii without its root, so it resolves naturally to ii.
E♭ major has 3 flats; its relative minor key is C minor.
Questions
What are the chords in I–♯i°7–ii7–V7 in E♭ major?
In E♭ major the progression is E♭ | Edim7 | Fm7 | B♭7.
What is the key signature of E♭ major?
E♭ major has 3 flats. Its relative minor is C minor.
Is this lesson right for my level?
This is a level 6 lesson (intermediate). If it feels too hard, start with “Secondary dominants”.
Your hands learn faster than your eyes.
Reading a chord chart is step one. Play it to a metronome, record it, and hear yourself get better, all in one app.
Start practising free