A♭ diminished (A♭dim) chord on piano

Diminished triad (two minor thirds) on A♭: the notes of the A♭dim chord are A♭ – C♭ – E𝄫. The same chord with a different spelling: G♯ diminished (G♯dim).

Root position: A♭3 – C♭4 – E𝄫4

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What the A♭dim chord sounds like

A diminished triad is two stacked minor thirds with a diminished fifth. It sounds tense and unsettled; in a major key it sits on degree vii and leads into the tonic.

Notes of the A♭dim chord

Degree	Note	Interval from the root
1	A♭	root
3	C♭	minor third (3 semitones)
5	E𝄫	diminished fifth (6 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

1st inversion

C♭4 – E𝄫4 – A♭4

2nd inversion

E𝄫4 – A♭4 – C♭5

Similar chords and substitutes

If A♭dim is too hard, or you want a different colour in the same spot, these chords are worth a try.

Substitutes (by function)

E7 – an incomplete dominant: the diminished chord is the top of this seventh chord
A – where it leads (leading tone → root)

Richer versions

A♭dim7 – the same chord plus 1 colour note
A♭m7b5 – the same chord plus 1 colour note

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the A♭dim chord?

A♭, C♭, E𝄫. The root is A♭; the intervals of the other notes from the root: minor third, diminished fifth.

How do I play the A♭dim 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♭dim chord written?

The chord symbol is A♭dim (also written Abdim), and its full name is A♭ diminished.