Leading-tone resolution
in E major
Piano chord · also written E♭dim
D♯ Diminished Piano Chord (D♯dim)
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
- D♯dim
- Same keys as
- E♭dim (E♭ – G♭ – A)
- 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: D♯dim/F♯, D♯dim/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 (D♯dim)
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 D♯dim, 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 (D♯dim) 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♯.
Is D♯ Diminished the same as E♭ Diminished?
On the piano, yes: E♭dim (E♭, G♭, A) uses exactly the same keys as D♯dim (D♯, F♯, A). Which name is used depends on the key of the piece; D♯dim is the more common spelling.
What are the inversions of D♯ Diminished?
1st inversion: F♯, A, D♯ (D♯dim/F♯). 2nd inversion: A, D♯, F♯ (D♯dim/A).
What key is D♯ Diminished in?
D♯dim belongs to E major (vii°) and C♯ minor (ii°).