Piano chord
Edim7E diminished seventh
- E1
- G♭3
- B♭♭5
- D♭𝄫7
- Notes
- 4
- Positions
- 4
- Span
- 9semitones
- Fingers
- 1-2-3-5
How to play Edim7 on piano
- Find E: it is the root and the lowest note of the chord in root position.
- Right hand: 1 on E, 2 on G, 3 on B♭, 5 on D♭.
- Or with the left hand: 5 on E, 3 on G, 2 on B♭, 1 on D♭.
- Press the keys together, with curved fingers and a loose wrist, and let them ring.
Root position · E – G – B♭ – D♭
1st inversion · G – B♭ – D♭ – E
2nd inversion · B♭ – D♭ – E – G
3rd inversion · D♭ – E – G – B♭
Numbers on the keys are fingers: 1 thumb, 2 index, 3 middle, 4 ring, 5 little finger.
Edim7 inversions
Edim7 can be played in 4 positions. In root position E is at the bottom; each inversion moves the lowest note up an octave, so another chord tone becomes the bass.
- Root positionbass: ERight hand 1-2-3-5 · Left hand 5-3-2-1
- 1st inversionbass: GRight hand 1-2-3-5 · Left hand 5-3-2-1
- 2nd inversionbass: B♭Right hand 1-2-3-5 · Left hand 5-3-2-1
- 3rd inversionbass: D♭Right hand 1-2-3-5 · Left hand 5-3-2-1
Chords that go with Edim7
The other chords of F minor, the key where Edim7 is home (vii°7). Songs in this key move between them.
Edim7 with two hands
A full sound: the left hand plays E an octave lower, the right hand plays E–G–B♭–D♭.
Edim7 on other instruments
About the Edim7 chord
E diminished seventh has 4 notes: E (1), G (♭3), B♭ (♭5), D♭ (𝄫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 E and add the other notes above it: E – G – B♭ – D♭. From the lowest to the highest key that is 9 semitones. That is less than an octave, so Edim7 sits comfortably under one hand.
Each inversion of Edim7 puts a different note in the bass. In the 1st inversion the bass is G (G–B♭–D♭–E). In the 2nd inversion the bass is B♭ (B♭–D♭–E–G). In the 3rd inversion the bass is D♭ (D♭–E–G–B♭).
Edim7 is Edim with one note added: D♭.
Keys that contain Edim7: F minor (vii°7).
Questions
What notes are in the Edim7 chord?
Edim7 (E diminished seventh) has 4 notes: E (1), G (♭3), B♭ (♭5), D♭ (𝄫7).
How many inversions does Edim7 have?
Edim7 can be played in 4 positions: Root position (E–G–B♭–D♭); 1st inversion (G–B♭–D♭–E); 2nd inversion (B♭–D♭–E–G); 3rd inversion (D♭–E–G–B♭).
What is the difference between Edim7 and Edim?
Edim7 is Edim with one note added: D♭.
Can I play Edim7 with one hand?
Yes. In root position Edim7 spans 9 semitones, less than an octave, so one hand holds it easily.