F diminished seventh (Fdim7) chord on piano
The F diminished seventh chord (Fdim7) is a diminished seventh chord (three stacked minor thirds), made of four notes: F – A♭ – C♭ – E𝄫.
Root position: F4 – A♭4 – C♭5 – E𝄫5
What the Fdim7 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 Fdim7 chord
| Degree | Note | Interval from the root |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | F | root |
| 3 | A♭ | minor third (3 semitones) |
| 5 | C♭ | diminished fifth (6 semitones) |
| 7 | E𝄫 | 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
F4 – A♭4 – C♭5 – E𝄫5
1st inversion
A♭4 – C♭5 – E𝄫5 – F5
2nd inversion
C♭5 – E𝄫5 – F5 – A♭5
3rd inversion
E𝄫5 – F5 – A♭5 – C♭6
Similar chords and substitutes
If Fdim7 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
- Fdim – all 3 of its notes are in this chord
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the Fdim7 chord?
F, A♭, C♭, E𝄫. The root is F; the intervals of the other notes from the root: minor third, diminished fifth, diminished seventh.
How do I play the Fdim7 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 Fdim7 chord written?
The chord symbol is Fdim7, and its full name is F diminished seventh.
Related chords
The same chord on another instrument:
Fdim7 on guitarFdim7 on ukuleleFdim7 on mandolinFdim7 on banjo
Other F chords on piano:
FFmF7Fmaj7Fm7Fsus2Fsus4F7sus4F6Fm6Fadd9FdimFaugFm7b5F9Fm9Fmaj9F11F13
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