Piano chord

AdimA diminished

A1
C♭3
E♭♭5

Notes: 3
Positions: 3
Span: 6semitones
Fingers: 1-3-5

How to play Adim on piano

Find A: it is the root and the lowest note of the chord in root position.
Right hand: 1 on A, 3 on C, 5 on E♭.
Or with the left hand: 5 on A, 3 on C, 1 on E♭.
Press the keys together, with curved fingers and a loose wrist, and let them ring.

Root position · A – C – E♭
1st inversion · C – E♭ – A
2nd inversion · E♭ – A – C

Numbers on the keys are fingers: 1 thumb, 2 index, 3 middle, 4 ring, 5 little finger.

Adim inversions

Here are all 3 positions of Adim. The notes stay the same, only their order changes: root position has A at the bottom, and every inversion starts on the next chord tone.

Root positionbass: A
Right hand 1-3-5 · Left hand 5-3-1
1st inversionbass: C
Right hand 1-2-5 · Left hand 5-3-1
2nd inversionbass: E♭
Right hand 1-3-5 · Left hand 5-2-1

Chords that go with Adim

The other chords of B flat major, the key where Adim is home (vii°). Songs in this key move between them.

Adim with two hands

A full sound: the left hand plays A an octave lower, the right hand plays A–C–E♭.

Adim on other instruments

About the Adim chord

The 3 notes of A diminished are A (1), C (♭3), E♭ (♭5). A diminished triad: two minor thirds stacked, with a flat fifth. Tense and unstable, it leads strongly to the next chord.

Put your thumb on A and count up: A – C – E♭. The whole chord spans 6 semitones from bottom to top. That fits inside an octave, so one hand covers Adim without stretching.

The inversions of Adim keep the same notes in a new order. In the 1st inversion the bass is C (C–E♭–A). In the 2nd inversion the bass is E♭ (E♭–A–C).

Take G♭ out of Adim7 and you get Adim.

Adim belongs to B flat major (vii°), G minor (ii°).

Questions

What notes are in the Adim chord?

Adim (A diminished) has 3 notes: A (1), C (♭3), E♭ (♭5).

How many inversions does Adim have?

Adim can be played in 3 positions: Root position (A–C–E♭); 1st inversion (C–E♭–A); 2nd inversion (E♭–A–C).

What is the difference between Adim and Adim7?

Take G♭ out of Adim7 and you get Adim.

Can I play Adim with one hand?

Yes. In root position Adim spans 6 semitones, less than an octave, so one hand holds it easily.