Diminished Chord Tricks & Tips – Expert Insights
The diminished chord has many different functions. In this lesson, we will explore some of the more advanced applications, and how you can add this to your playing right now to sound like a jazz piano pro.
‘Soften The Landing’ In Any 251 Progression
In any 251 progression, instead of landing directly to the 1 chord, we can first land on a diminished chord built from the 1.
This acts as a temporary stepping stone, introducing a rich texture and colour that then resolves beautifully to the 1 chord.
Jovino starts this class by demonstrating a few examples of this over a 251 in C Major. We then take this a step further and explore how the diminished chord can be sustained and doesn’t have to resolve to the 1 chord. This is a matter of personal taste and something that you should experiment with.
‘The Harmonic Shadow’ Of The Diminished Chord
Every diminished chord has a ‘harmonic shadow’ built a whole step above. If we put these 2 diminished chords together, we get the diminished scale.
If we then examine the makeup of the diminished scale, we can see that there are many triads ‘hiding’ within those 8 notes. These triad shapes can be accentuated and outlined to achieve more interesting melodic and harmonic possibilities.
Within the C Diminished scale, we can derive the following chords:
- Bmaj7 chord (and B major triad of course)
- B- minor triad
- Ab major triad
- Ab- minor triad
- D major triad
- D minor triad
- F major triad
- F minor triad
Jovino demonstrates how these triads can be used to create colourful runs over diminished harmonies. Also, remember that every diminished chord is related to 4 dominant chords, check out the related lesson below on "Diminished Chords Basics".
Related Lessons
Diminished scales and chords are a very important subject. Diminished harmony works as a ‘base’ or a ‘spine’ to all harmonic movement.
Diminished 7th chords are not as common as major, minor and dominant chords and so you don’t see them as often in jazz standards.
Most jazz standards that you come across will contain a 251 progression in some form so it is essential that you know how to construct the 251.
Practice Tips
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Copy the 251 examples and apply these to all 12 keys. This will help you visualise the diminished chord and how it can be used as a 'landing point' before resolving to the 1 chord.
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Spend some time to visualise the triads within the diminished scale. At first glance, it may be difficult to spot them. But they are 'hiding' within there!
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Run these triads up and down the piano, in each inversion, any you will discover many colours and flavours within the diminished scale.
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Understand that 3 different diminished chords/scales serve all 12 keys. So once you have learnt melodic material for 1 diminished scale, this can be applied to 4 other keys (and their related dominants).
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Some of the material covered in this lesson is advanced, and so if you are new to diminished chords, then check out the related lessons above on "Diminished Chord Basics" and also "Diminished Scale Patterns".
- Diminished is a fascinating subject, one that you will be exploring for many years. Enjoy the journey!
