Chord Detail
B Diminished Triad
Bdim is a B diminished triad — a tense, unstable chord built from two stacked minor thirds. Its diminished fifth creates strong dissonance that demands resolution, making it ideal for dramatic transitions and chromatic passing motion.
The diminished triad stacks two minor thirds above the root: a minor third (3 semitones) and another minor third above that (totaling 6 semitones, a diminished fifth). Bdim uses B, D, F. The diminished fifth (F) — also called a tritone — is the most dissonant interval in Western music, occurring naturally only 6 semitones from the root. This creates maximum harmonic tension. In functional harmony, the diminished triad most often appears as vii° (leading tone chord), which pulls powerfully toward the tonic. It also appears as a chromatic passing chord (#i°) in gospel walk-ups, briefly connecting two harmonically stable chords through chromatic bass movement.
Formula: 1 – ♭3 – ♭5
1Root0 semitones♭3Minor Third3 semitones♭5Diminished Fifth6 semitonesTense, unstable, eerie, and dissonant. Creates strong pull toward resolution — it wants to move.
Diminished chords are built entirely from stacked minor thirds, creating maximum instability. Their tritone interval was historically called "diabolus in musica" — the devil in music. They excel at creating suspense, danger, and an urgent need for resolution.
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The diminished triad is unstable by nature and works best as a brief passing chord. Keep it in close position — root, flat third, flat fifth. In gospel, the chromatic passing version (#i° between I and ii) is often played as a single quick chord. Avoid sustaining it too long without resolution.
I – #i° – ii – V (Gospel walk-up)vii° – I (Leading tone resolution)iv – #iv° – V (Chromatic approach)vi – #vi° – vii (Passing motion)Connect your MIDI keyboard and play this chord — ChordBeam identifies it instantly