Learn how to play the diminished chord in this easy diminished chord bass lesson.
Table of Contents
What is a diminished chord?
A diminished chord is a triad that consists of three notes: the root note, the minor third (flattened 3rd), and a diminished fifth (flattened 5th)
The diminished chord formula is 1-b3-b5. The b5 is the interval that distinguishes the diminished triad from a minor triad.
The diminished chord is the 7th chord in the major scale when following a diatonic progression. For example, the notes in the C major scale are C-D-E-F-G-A-B. The 7th note is B, which means the 7th diatonic chord in the C major scale is the B diminished chord.
How to play the diminished chord on bass
This is the C diminished chord. Transpose the shape so you can see how it sounds with different root notes. For example, if you move the shape down a half-step you’ll play the B diminished chord.
Using the diminished chord
The diminished chord is often used as a passing chord to build tension. For example, you could play this simple chord progression: A minor – B diminished – A minor. The obscure intervals in the diminished chord build tension, and then you resolve by playing the root chord, A minor.
You can also use a diatonic diminished chord to substitute a diatonic dominant 7th chord. For example, you can use the B diminished chord to substitute the G7 chord.
