E♭ diminished seventh (E♭dim7) chord on piano

Looking for the E♭dim7 chord on piano? It is a diminished seventh chord (three stacked minor thirds), made of four notes: E♭ – G♭ – B𝄫 – D𝄫. The same chord with a different spelling: D♯ diminished seventh (D♯dim7).

Root position: E♭4 – G♭4 – B𝄫4 – D𝄫5

Chord finder Transposer

What the E♭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 E♭dim7 chord

Degree	Note	Interval from the root
1	E♭	root
3	G♭	minor third (3 semitones)
5	B𝄫	diminished fifth (6 semitones)
7	D𝄫	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

E♭4 – G♭4 – B𝄫4 – D𝄫5

1st inversion

G♭4 – B𝄫4 – D𝄫5 – E♭5

2nd inversion

B𝄫4 – D𝄫5 – E♭5 – G♭5

3rd inversion

D𝄫5 – E♭5 – G♭5 – B𝄫5

Similar chords and substitutes

If E♭dim7 is too hard, or you want a different colour in the same spot, these chords are worth a try.

Substitutes (by function)

B7 – an incomplete dominant: the diminished chord is the top of this seventh chord
E – where it leads (leading tone → root)

Same notes

Cdim7 – the same notes with a different root
F♯dim7 – the same notes with a different root
Adim7 – the same notes with a different root

Simpler versions

E♭dim – all 3 of its notes are in this chord

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the E♭dim7 chord?

E♭, G♭, B𝄫, D𝄫. The root is E♭; the intervals of the other notes from the root: minor third, diminished fifth, diminished seventh.

How do I play the E♭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 E♭dim7 chord written?

The chord symbol is E♭dim7 (also written Ebdim7), and its full name is E♭ diminished seventh.