Piano · Level 6 · Intermediate
Diminished passing chords in B♭ major on Piano
Don’t just read about Diminished passing chords in B♭ 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.
B♭
Notes: B♭ · D · F
Bdim7
Notes: B · D · F · A♭
Cm7
Notes: C · E♭ · G · B♭
F7
Notes: F · A · C · E♭
HOW TO PRACTISE IT
Six steps to a clean loop.
- Play each chord on its own: B♭, Bdim7, Cm7 and F7. Press play on the chord card, then match the sound.
- Keep the right hand curved over the keys and move it as one unit between chords.
- 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.
- Play the left-hand bass note on beat one and the right-hand chord on every beat.
- 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.
B♭ major has 2 flats; its relative minor key is G minor.
Questions
What are the chords in I–♯i°7–ii7–V7 in B♭ major?
In B♭ major the progression is B♭ | Bdim7 | Cm7 | F7.
What is the key signature of B♭ major?
B♭ major has 2 flats. Its relative minor is G 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