Leading-tone resolution
in B major
Piano chord · also written B♭dim
A♯ Diminished Piano Chord (A♯dim)
The A♯ Diminished chord on piano is made of the notes A♯, C♯ and E. Tense and unstable. Often used as a passing chord.
Tap any key to hear it.
What notes are in A♯ Diminished?
3 notes, built 1 – ♭3 – ♭5 up from A♯.
- Notes
- A♯ – C♯ – E
- Formula
- 1 – ♭3 – ♭5
- Semitones from the root
- 0 – 3 – 6
- Symbol
- A♯dim
- Same keys as
- B♭dim (B♭ – D♭ – F♭)
- Chord type
- Diminished, 3 notes
How to play A♯ Diminished on piano
- Right hand: A♯ (1), C♯ (3), E (5). Fingers 1 – 3 – 5, thumb on A♯.
- Left hand: A♯ (5), C♯ (3), E (1). Fingers 5 – 3 – 1, little finger on A♯.
Fingers are numbered 1 (thumb) to 5 (little finger) on both hands.
A♯ Diminished inversions
Each inversion puts a different note of the chord in the bass. Written as a slash chord: A♯dim/C♯, A♯dim/E.
Can you find A♯ Diminished?
Tap the notes on the keyboard, then check. Six chords, starting with this one.
1 / 6 Tap the notes of A♯ Diminished (A♯dim)
Score 0
Any octave, any order. Each key you tap plays.
What key is A♯ Diminished in?
The keys whose scale contains every note of A♯dim, with the chord’s Roman numeral in each.
Major keys
- B majorvii°
Minor keys
- G♯ minorii°
A♯ Diminished chord FAQ
What notes are in the A♯ Diminished chord?
A♯ Diminished (A♯dim) has 3 notes: A♯, C♯ and E. Its formula is 1 – ♭3 – ♭5, counted up from A♯.
How do you play A♯ Diminished on the piano?
Put your right thumb on A♯ and play A♯, C♯ and E with fingers 1 – 3 – 5. With the left hand, use fingers 5 – 3 – 1, little finger on A♯.
Is A♯ Diminished the same as B♭ Diminished?
On the piano, yes: B♭dim (B♭, D♭, F♭) uses exactly the same keys as A♯dim (A♯, C♯, E). Which name is used depends on the key of the piece; A♯dim is the more common spelling.
What are the inversions of A♯ Diminished?
1st inversion: C♯, E, A♯ (A♯dim/C♯). 2nd inversion: E, A♯, C♯ (A♯dim/E).
What key is A♯ Diminished in?
A♯dim belongs to B major (vii°) and G♯ minor (ii°).