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