Piano chord
Bdim7B diminished seventh
- B1
- D♭3
- F♭5
- A♭𝄫7
- Notes
- 4
- Positions
- 4
- Span
- 9semitones
- Fingers
- 1-2-3-5
How to play Bdim7 on piano
- Find B: it is the root and the lowest note of the chord in root position.
- Right hand: 1 on B, 2 on D, 3 on F, 5 on A♭.
- Or with the left hand: 5 on B, 3 on D, 2 on F, 1 on A♭.
- Press the keys together, with curved fingers and a loose wrist, and let them ring.
Root position · B – D – F – A♭
1st inversion · D – F – A♭ – B
2nd inversion · F – A♭ – B – D
3rd inversion · A♭ – B – D – F
Numbers on the keys are fingers: 1 thumb, 2 index, 3 middle, 4 ring, 5 little finger.
Bdim7 inversions
Bdim7 can be played in 4 positions. In root position B is at the bottom; each inversion moves the lowest note up an octave, so another chord tone becomes the bass.
- Root positionbass: BRight hand 1-2-3-5 · Left hand 5-3-2-1
- 1st inversionbass: DRight hand 1-2-3-5 · Left hand 5-3-2-1
- 2nd inversionbass: FRight hand 1-2-3-5 · Left hand 5-3-2-1
- 3rd inversionbass: A♭Right hand 1-2-3-5 · Left hand 5-3-2-1
Chords that go with Bdim7
The other chords of C minor, the key where Bdim7 is home (vii°7). Songs in this key move between them.
Bdim7 with two hands
A full sound: the left hand plays B an octave lower, the right hand plays B–D–F–A♭.
Bdim7 on other instruments
About the Bdim7 chord
B diminished seventh has 4 notes: B (1), D (♭3), F (♭5), A♭ (𝄫7). A diminished seventh: three minor thirds stacked. Every note is three semitones from the next, so the same keys name four different chords.
On the keyboard, start from B and add the other notes above it: B – D – F – A♭. From the lowest to the highest key that is 9 semitones. That is less than an octave, so Bdim7 sits comfortably under one hand.
Each inversion of Bdim7 puts a different note in the bass. In the 1st inversion the bass is D (D–F–A♭–B). In the 2nd inversion the bass is F (F–A♭–B–D). In the 3rd inversion the bass is A♭ (A♭–B–D–F).
Bdim7 is Bdim with one note added: A♭.
Keys that contain Bdim7: C minor (vii°7).
Questions
What notes are in the Bdim7 chord?
Bdim7 (B diminished seventh) has 4 notes: B (1), D (♭3), F (♭5), A♭ (𝄫7).
How many inversions does Bdim7 have?
Bdim7 can be played in 4 positions: Root position (B–D–F–A♭); 1st inversion (D–F–A♭–B); 2nd inversion (F–A♭–B–D); 3rd inversion (A♭–B–D–F).
What is the difference between Bdim7 and Bdim?
Bdim7 is Bdim with one note added: A♭.
Can I play Bdim7 with one hand?
Yes. In root position Bdim7 spans 9 semitones, less than an octave, so one hand holds it easily.