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A-flat Diminished 7th Chord
The A-flat Diminished 7th Chord is A-flat, C-flat, E-double-flat, and G-double-flat: on the keyboard, A-flat, B, D, and F. Only the thumb plays a black key. The notes are evenly spaced, so the hand keeps the same shape through every inversion.
How to play the A-flat Diminished 7th Chord on the piano
Let’s go through some charts that will familiarize you with the A-flat Diminished 7th 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 7th Chord in root position
In root position, the notes of the A♭ diminished 7th 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 7th Chord in root position | |
|---|---|
| Note Order | A♭ C♭ E𝄫 G𝄫 |
| Left Hand Fingering | 5 3 2 1 |
| Right Hand Fingering | 1 2 3 5 |
| Chord Symbol | A♭dim7 or A♭°7 |
The A-flat Diminished 7th 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 7th Chord in 1st inversion | |
|---|---|
| Note Order | C♭ E𝄫 G𝄫 A♭ |
| Left Hand Fingering | 5 3 2 1 |
| Right Hand Fingering | 1 2 3 5 |
| Chord Symbol | A♭°6/5 or A♭°7/C♭ |
The A-flat Diminished 7th 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 7th Chord in 2nd inversion | |
|---|---|
| Note Order | E𝄫 G𝄫 A♭ C♭ |
| Left Hand Fingering | 5 3 2 1 |
| Right Hand Fingering | 1 2 3 5 |
| Chord Symbol | A♭°4/3 or A♭°7/E𝄫 |
The A-flat Diminished 7th Chord in third inversion
In third inversion, the seventh of the chord (G𝄫) is on the bottom, and the fifth of the chord (E𝄫) goes to the top.
| A-flat Diminished 7th Chord in 3rd inversion | |
|---|---|
| Note Order | G𝄫 A♭ C♭ E𝄫 |
| Left Hand Fingering | 5 3 2 1 |
| Right Hand Fingering | 1 2 3 5 |
| Chord Symbol | A♭°4/2 or A♭°7/G𝄫 |
A-flat Diminished 7th Chord theory and function
The diminished 7th stacks three minor thirds, and every interval is the same size. That symmetry gives the chord a tense, suspended sound, and it is the most flexible chord for changing keys: the same four notes can lead to four different places.
The common keys that use this chord are sharp keys, so it is usually written as G♯ diminished 7th, and the spelling follows the key. The G♯ diminished 7th chord is the leading-tone chord (vii°7) in A major. In minor keys, it is the leading-tone chord (vii°7) in A minor.
It works like a dominant 7th chord with a flat ninth and the root missing: G♯°7 is the upper four notes of E7♭9, so it resolves to A the way E7 does. It is also a passing chord that slides between two chords: G – G♯°7 – Am7, and the bass line simply climbs by half step. Try playing it once and resolve up a half step from each of its four notes in turn, and listen to how the same chord points to four different keys.
Other chords built on A-flat
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