A diminished 7th chord on piano
Adim7 is a diminished 7th chord built on A. It uses the notes A - C - E♭ - G♭ and sounds dramatic and suspenseful, the classic silent-movie villain chord.
- Notes
- A C E♭ G♭
- Formula
- 1 - ♭3 - ♭5 - 𝄫7
- Right hand fingering
- 1 - 2 - 3 - 5
- Left hand fingering
- 5 - 3 - 2 - 1
- Chord symbol
- Adim7
How to play Adim7 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.
- Add G♭, 9 half steps above A.
- Press all 4 keys together with fingers 1 - 2 - 3 - 5 of your right hand. Keep your wrist level and let the weight of your arm do the work.
Adim7 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.
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the A diminished 7th chord?
The A diminished 7th chord (Adim7) contains 4 notes: A, C, E♭, G♭. Its formula is 1 - ♭3 - ♭5 - 𝄫7.
How do you play Adim7 on piano?
Put your right-hand thumb on A and play A, C, E♭, G♭ together using fingers 1 - 2 - 3 - 5. With the left hand, use fingers 5 - 3 - 2 - 1.