A diminished chord on piano
Adim is a diminished chord built on A. It uses the notes A - C - E♭ and sounds tense and unstable; it wants to move somewhere.
- Notes
- A C E♭
- Formula
- 1 - ♭3 - ♭5
- Right hand fingering
- 1 - 3 - 5
- Left hand fingering
- 5 - 3 - 1
- Chord symbol
- Adim
How to play Adim step by step
- Find A. A is the white key between the second and third black keys of the group of three.
- Add C, 3 half steps above A.
- Add E♭, 6 half steps above A.
- Press all 3 keys together with fingers 1 - 3 - 5 of your right hand. Keep your wrist level and let the weight of your arm do the work.
Adim inversions
An inversion uses the same notes in a different order. Inversions let your hand move less between chords, which is how pianists make chord changes sound smooth.
Which keys use the Adim chord?
Knowing where a chord lives helps you guess the next chord in a song. Adim appears naturally in these keys:
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the A diminished chord?
The A diminished chord (Adim) contains 3 notes: A, C, E♭. Its formula is 1 - ♭3 - ♭5.
How do you play Adim on piano?
Put your right-hand thumb on A and play A, C, E♭ together using fingers 1 - 3 - 5. With the left hand, use fingers 5 - 3 - 1.