Chord
B Diminished Chord
Interactive keyboard
Highlighted notes form this chord.
Notes
B · D · F
Root: B
Intervals
1 · ♭3 · ♭5
How it is built
This chord starts on B and applies the intervals 1, ♭3, ♭5. The result contains 3 distinct pitch classes per octave.
Explore related combinations
Guide and musical context
About B Diminished Chord
B Diminished Chord contains B, D, F. Its sound is unstable and compressed, built from two minor thirds.
Character and sound
Unstable and compressed, built from two minor thirds.
Musical context and history
The diminished triad is part of tonal harmony’s tension and voice-leading vocabulary. Its diminished fifth avoids a sense of rest and encourages semitone motion.
How and where it is used
It is used as a passing chord, leading-tone chord and chromatic connector.
In Theory view you can hear the pitch collection without depending on a specific fingering. Then switch to Piano, Guitar, Ukulele or Mandolin to see how the same notes are physically distributed on each instrument.
Harmonic and musical relationships
Compare this chord with other variants sharing the root B. Changing a single third, fifth, seventh or extension makes it easy to hear which interval defines the chord’s character.
The formula on this page is 1 · ♭3 · ♭5 and, from B, produces the notes B · D · F.
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the B Diminished Chord?
The notes are B, D, F.
What is its interval formula?
The formula is 1 · ♭3 · ♭5.
How does it sound and what is it used for?
Unstable and compressed, built from two minor thirds. It is used as a passing chord, leading-tone chord and chromatic connector.
Can I view it on a specific instrument?
Yes. Use the selector near the top to switch between Piano, Guitar, Ukulele and Mandolin without changing the musical combination you are studying.