What is a Diminished Chord?

A diminished chord is a type of musical chord made by stacking two minor thirds on top of each other. It contains three notes: the root, a minor third above the root, and a diminished fifth above the root. For example, a C diminished chord is made up of the notes C, E♭, and G♭.

The sound of a diminished chord is often described as tense, unstable, or dramatic. This is because the interval between the root and the fifth is smaller than a perfect fifth, creating a dissonant and unresolved feeling. Because of this tension, diminished chords are often used to create suspense and movement toward another chord.

Diminished chords are commonly used in classical music, jazz, and film scores to add harmonic tension and color. They often appear as passing chords that lead to more stable chords in a progression. Even though they are less common than major or minor chords, diminished chords play an important role in shaping harmony and musical expression.