Piano · Level 6 · Intermediate

Diminished passing chords on Piano

I–♯i°7–ii7–V7 in all 12 keys.

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THE SHORT ANSWER

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.

Choose a key

C majorC · C♯dim7 · Dm7 · G7D♭ majorD♭ · Ddim7 · E♭m7 · A♭7D majorD · D♯dim7 · Em7 · A7E♭ majorE♭ · Edim7 · Fm7 · B♭7E majorE · Fdim7 · F♯m7 · B7F majorF · F♯dim7 · Gm7 · C7F♯ majorF♯ · Gdim7 · G♯m7 · C♯7G majorG · G♯dim7 · Am7 · D7A♭ majorA♭ · Adim7 · B♭m7 · E♭7A majorA · A♯dim7 · Bm7 · E7B♭ majorB♭ · Bdim7 · Cm7 · F7B majorB · Cdim7 · C♯m7 · F♯7

Listen first: C major

C

C major

Notes: C · E · G

Left hand: C2

C♯dim7

C♯ diminished seventh

Notes: C♯ · E · G · B♭

Left hand: C♯2
♯♭

Dm7

D minor seventh

Notes: D · F · A · C

Left hand: D2

G7

G dominant seventh

Notes: G · B · D · F

Left hand: G2
1
C
2
C♯dim7
3
Dm7
4
G7

Why it works

♯i°7 works like a V7♭9 of ii without its root, so it resolves naturally to ii.

On another instrument

Diminished passing chords on Guitar →Diminished passing chords on Ukulele →Diminished passing chords on Mandolin →Diminished passing chords on Banjo →Diminished passing chords on Violin →Diminished passing chords on Flute →

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