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Piano chord

BdimB diminished

  • B1
  • D♭3
  • F♭5
Notes
3
Positions
3
Span
6semitones
Fingers
1-3-5

How to play Bdim on piano

  1. Find B: it is the root and the lowest note of the chord in root position.
  2. Right hand: 1 on B, 3 on D, 5 on F.
  3. Or with the left hand: 5 on B, 3 on D, 1 on F.
  4. Press the keys together, with curved fingers and a loose wrist, and let them ring.
  1. Bdim on piano, Root position: B D FB, D, FBDF135
    Bdim on piano, Root position: B D FB, D, FBDF531

    Root position · B – D – F

  2. Bdim on piano, 1st inversion: D F BD, F, BDFB125
    Bdim on piano, 1st inversion: D F BD, F, BDFB531

    1st inversion · D – F – B

  3. Bdim on piano, 2nd inversion: F B DF, B, DFBD135
    Bdim on piano, 2nd inversion: F B DF, B, DFBD521

    2nd inversion · F – B – D

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

Bdim inversions

Use these 3 positions to move between chords with as little hand movement as possible. Root position starts on B; the inversions start on the other notes of the chord.

Chords that go with Bdim

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

Bdim with two hands

A full sound: the left hand plays B an octave lower, the right hand plays B–D–F.

Bdim with two handsB, B, D, FBBDF5135

Bdim on other instruments

About the Bdim chord

To build B diminished, take these 3 notes from the root up: B (1), D (♭3), F (♭5). A diminished triad: two minor thirds stacked, with a flat fifth. Tense and unstable, it leads strongly to the next chord.

The keys are B – D – F, counted up from B; the distance from the lowest to the highest key is 6 semitones. Any hand that reaches an octave can hold Bdim, so it works in either hand.

In the inversions of Bdim the root moves up and another note takes the bass. In the 1st inversion the bass is D (D–F–B). In the 2nd inversion the bass is F (F–B–D).

Compared with Bdim7, Bdim leaves out A♭.

You meet Bdim in these keys: C major (vii°), A minor (ii°).

Questions

What notes are in the Bdim chord?

Bdim (B diminished) has 3 notes: B (1), D (♭3), F (♭5).

How many inversions does Bdim have?

Bdim can be played in 3 positions: Root position (B–D–F); 1st inversion (D–F–B); 2nd inversion (F–B–D).

What is the difference between Bdim and Bdim7?

Compared with Bdim7, Bdim leaves out A♭.

Can I play Bdim with one hand?

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

More B chords