Violin · Level 6 · Intermediate
Diminished passing chords in B major on Violin
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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♯
Cdim7
Notes: C · E♭ · G♭ · B𝄫
C♯m7
Notes: C♯ · E · G♯ · B
F♯7
Notes: F♯ · A♯ · C♯ · E
HOW TO PRACTISE IT
Six steps to a clean loop.
- Play each chord as an arpeggio, one note at a time: B, Cdim7, C♯m7 and F♯7. Press play on the card, then match each note.
- Stay in first position: use the open string where you can and keep the fingers close to the string.
- 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 chord tones one at a time, one note per beat, with a full, even bow on each.
- 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 5 sharps; 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 | Cdim7 | C♯m7 | F♯7.
What is the key signature of B major?
B major has 5 sharps. 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”.
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