Diminished seventh chords possess a special property that allows them to morph into different chords easily. Each note in a diminished seventh chord is stacked in intervals of a minor third for an exciting sound that combines dissonance and melody.
These chords can be found in most sheet music books and are written using an “o7” symbol.
It is a secondary dominant
Diminished seventh chords can be an effective way to modulate to distant keys when used as secondary dominants or appoggiatura chords, provided they do not contain leading tone notes rooted on one of their scale degrees (such as G-F-A-C for an example of this effect). They also make great supportive accompanimental pieces if played over dominants such as G major chords.
Secondary dominant chords create musical tension that eventually resolves into less tension-laden tonic chords, adding an intriguing sound to songwriting and your listening experience. You may take some time getting used to hearing secondary dominants in music you listen to; once you do, they will add something unique.
The most frequent type of secondary dominant chord is one rooted on the fifth scale degree, known as a V chord because of its strong pull towards tonic notes. Another type is a major 7 chord, which contains F rather than A and is less unstable but does not pull as strongly towards the tonic chord.
It is ambiguous
The diminished seventh chord is an indecipherable chord; it can serve both dominant and dissonant purposes. Most often used for transitioning between chords, it sounds unstable due to having its perfect fifth interval reduced by half a semitone which makes it less consonant than major or minor chords.
Standard jazz theory does not typically use this chord because it violates an important rule in chord-scale theory: scales cannot contain two minor seconds consecutively. But jazz musicians frequently disregard this rule when creating songs, frequently including diminished seventh chords as part of their compositions.
Each 7th chord quality (diminished, minor, major, perfect and augmented) has its own note interval quality, shown here on a piano diagram. Each interval quality can be modified by adding or subtracting accidentals to its key signature; see here for details on that process.
It is a dissonant chord
A diminished seventh chord is a dissonant dissonant chord which creates tension and suspense, often used as a passing chord between a song’s mediant triad and supertonic triad in key. It is popularly used in Brazilian choro and samba music and also appears in Carl Maria von Weber operas such as Der Freischutz and Euryanthe.
Diminished seventh chords follow the same principles as triads, which are formed by stacking thirds. A diminished seventh chord consists of three notes: root, minor third and diminished fifth. When played in its diminished form, all notes are lowered half step for added dissonance when compared with its major third/diminished fifth counterpart.
Diminished seventh chords can be enharmonically reinterpreted in other keys as well. Clean Bandit’s hit “Rather Be” features an G diminished chord leading into a vi chord in the same key; each diminished seventh chord offers four unique respelling options that allow you to play it in multiple ways.
It is a transition chord
Diminished seventh chords provide your music with unique harmonic color and texture. Their dissonant sound creates tension and suspense while they can also serve as transitions between two other chords or even modulate between keys.
There is a range of diminished seventh chords, each one featuring its own individual sound and purpose. To create these chords, typically both fifth and seventh are lowered one half step from a major triad; this produces what is known as a diminished triad.
A diminished seventh chord is frequently employed in jazz music as it provides an intricate sound, adding layers and complexity. Additionally, this chord can add tension and suspense to pop songs by generating suspense or tension within their lyrics.