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A-flat Diminished Chord
The A-flat Diminished Chord is A-flat, C-flat, and E-double-flat. On the keyboard that's A-flat, B, and D: a black key under the thumb and two white keys close above. The shape is compact, and the sound leans toward A.
How to play the A-flat Diminished Chord on the piano
Let’s go through some charts that will familiarize you with the A-flat Diminished Chord and how to play it in the various forms you will encounter in pieces of music. First, we’ll look at the fundamental chord and its inversions; then, we’ll explore some more complex voicings.
The A-flat Diminished Chord in root position
In root position, the notes of the A♭ diminished chord are stacked in thirds with A♭ on the bottom. The appearance on the staff is evenly spaced, as is the feeling of the space in between your fingers while playing.
| A-flat Diminished Chord in root position | |
|---|---|
| Note Order | A♭ C♭ E𝄫 |
| Left Hand Fingering | 5 3 1 |
| Right Hand Fingering | 1 3 5 |
| Chord Symbol | A♭dim or A♭° |
The A-flat Diminished Chord in first inversion
In first inversion, the third of the chord (C♭) becomes the bottom note, and the root (A♭) jumps up to the top.
| A-flat Diminished Chord in 1st inversion | |
|---|---|
| Note Order | C♭ E𝄫 A♭ |
| Left Hand Fingering | 5 3 1 |
| Right Hand Fingering | 1 2 5 |
| Chord Symbol | A♭°6 or A♭°/C♭ |
The A-flat Diminished Chord in second inversion
In second inversion, the fifth of the chord (E𝄫) is on the bottom, and the third of the chord (C♭) goes to the top.
| A-flat Diminished Chord in 2nd inversion | |
|---|---|
| Note Order | E𝄫 A♭ C♭ |
| Left Hand Fingering | 5 2 1 |
| Right Hand Fingering | 1 3 5 |
| Chord Symbol | A♭°6/4 or A♭°/E𝄫 |
A-flat Diminished Chord theory and function
A diminished chord stacks two minor thirds, and the result is tense and unsettled. It is never a place to rest. It behaves like a dominant 7th chord with the root missing, so it wants to move.
The common keys that use this chord are sharp keys, so it is usually written as G♯ diminished, and the spelling follows the key. The G♯ diminished chord is the leading-tone chord (vii°) in A major. In minor keys, it is the leading-tone chord (vii°) in A minor and the supertonic (ii°) in F♯ minor.
The notes G♯, B, and D are the top three notes of E7, so the chord leads to A the way E7 does. A common use is as a passing chord over a rising bass line, I – vii°6 – I6: A – G♯°/B – A/C♯, so the bass walks A, B, C♯. Try playing G♯° and then A and listen to how the tension settles.
Other chords built on A-flat
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