A♭ diminished seventh (A♭dim7) chord on piano
Looking for the A♭dim7 chord on piano? It is a diminished seventh chord (three stacked minor thirds), made of four notes: A♭ – C♭ – E𝄫 – G𝄫. The same chord with a different spelling: G♯ diminished seventh (G♯dim7).
Root position: A♭3 – C♭4 – E𝄫4 – G𝄫4
What the A♭dim7 chord sounds like
A diminished seventh is three stacked minor thirds, so it is symmetrical: four different roots give the same notes. A dramatic, tense passing chord.
Notes of the A♭dim7 chord
| Degree | Note | Interval from the root |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A♭ | root |
| 3 | C♭ | minor third (3 semitones) |
| 5 | E𝄫 | diminished fifth (6 semitones) |
| 7 | G𝄫 | diminished seventh (9 semitones) |
Root position and inversions
An inversion uses the same notes, with a different note at the bottom. When you change chords, choosing the nearest inversion keeps your hand almost still.
Root position
A♭3 – C♭4 – E𝄫4 – G𝄫4
1st inversion
C♭4 – E𝄫4 – G𝄫4 – A♭4
2nd inversion
E𝄫4 – G𝄫4 – A♭4 – C♭5
3rd inversion
G𝄫4 – A♭4 – C♭5 – E𝄫5
Similar chords and substitutes
If A♭dim7 is too hard, or you want a different colour in the same spot, these chords are worth a try.
Substitutes (by function)
Same notes
Simpler versions
- A♭dim – all 3 of its notes are in this chord
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the A♭dim7 chord?
A♭, C♭, E𝄫, G𝄫. The root is A♭; the intervals of the other notes from the root: minor third, diminished fifth, diminished seventh.
How do I play the A♭dim7 chord on piano?
In root position, the right hand usually plays with fingers 1, 3 and 5 (thumb, middle finger, little finger); four-note chords with fingers 1, 2, 3 and 5. The left hand mirrors this: 5, 3, 1. In an inversion the top or bottom note moves to the other side, so your hand moves less when you change chords.
How is the A♭dim7 chord written?
The chord symbol is A♭dim7 (also written Abdim7), and its full name is A♭ diminished seventh.
Related chords
The same chord on another instrument:
A♭dim7 on guitarA♭dim7 on ukuleleA♭dim7 on mandolinA♭dim7 on banjo
Other A♭ chords on piano:
A♭A♭mA♭7A♭maj7A♭m7A♭sus2A♭sus4A♭7sus4A♭6A♭m6A♭add9A♭dimA♭augA♭m7b5A♭9A♭m9A♭maj9A♭11A♭13
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