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A♯dim chord

A♯dim (A♯ diminished) is A♯, C♯ and E. It sounds tense and unstable: it wants to resolve a half step up. Also written B♭dim (B♭ D♭ F♭): the same keys.

A♯dim

A♯ diminished · A♯ C♯ E · 1 ♭3 ♭5

EA♯C♯

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Root
Chord

Tap keys on the piano to find which chord they make. The editor opens without an account.

Notes in the A♯dim chord

From A♯, count 3 half steps up to C♯ and 3 more to E. Its formula is 1 ♭3 ♭5: each number is the note’s place in the A♯ major scale, with ♭ a half step lower and ♯ a half step higher. On the piano it is one white key and two black keys (A♯ and C♯).

The notes of A♯dim and their intervals from A♯
NoteFormulaIntervalHalf steps up
A♯1Root0
C♯♭3Minor third3
E♭5Diminished fifth6

A♯dim chord inversions

An inversion is the same chord with another of its notes at the bottom. It keeps the chord’s sound but moves your hand less between chords, which is why pianists use them all the time. The notes are listed lowest first.

Root position

A♯ C♯ E

Written A♯dim, with the root at the bottom.

1st inversion

C♯ E A♯

Written A♯dim/C♯: C♯ at the bottom.

2nd inversion

E A♯ C♯

Written A♯dim/E: E at the bottom.

Keys with the A♯dim chord

A♯dim is built from the notes of these keys, so it fits songs in them. The Roman numeral says which note of the key it starts on. Each key’s page has its scale and all its chords.

Major keys
Minor keys

Raised 7th: the minor key with its seventh note a half step higher (harmonic minor), as most minor songs play their V and vii chords.

Chords that often come after A♯dim

BB D♯ F♯A♯dim is the vii° of B: it climbs a half step and resolves there.BmB D F♯The same half-step climb into Bm, in the minor key.

More piano chords

Other chords on A♯

B♭B♭mB♭7B♭maj7B♭m7B♭sus2B♭sus4B♭add9B♭9B♭6A♯m7♭5A♯dim7B♭aug

Diminished chords on other notes

CdimC♯dimDdimD♯dimEdimFdimF♯dimGdimG♯dimAdimBdim

Or see every chord at once on the piano chords chart.

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the A♯dim chord?

A♯dim is A♯, C♯ and E. On the piano that is one white key and two black keys (A♯ and C♯).

How do you play A♯dim on the piano?

With your right hand, put your thumb (1) on A♯, your middle finger (3) on C♯ and your little finger (5) on E. With your left hand it is 5, 3 and 1 on the same notes. From A♯, count 3 half steps up to C♯ and 3 more to E.

What are the inversions of A♯dim?

Root position: A♯ C♯ E. 1st inversion: C♯ E A♯ (A♯dim/C♯). 2nd inversion: E A♯ C♯ (A♯dim/E). The notes are the same; only the lowest one changes.

What key is A♯dim in?

In major keys, A♯dim is the vii° chord in B major. In minor keys, it is the ii° chord in G♯ minor and the vii° chord in B minor (with its raised seventh).

Is A♯dim the same as B♭dim?

On the piano, yes: the same keys. A♯dim (A♯ C♯ E) is how it is usually written; as B♭dim it is B♭ D♭ F♭.

Can I make a beat with A♯dim?

Yes. “Make a beat in B major” opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in B major on B F♯ G♯m E, the key where A♯dim is the vii° chord. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account is needed to start.

Make a beat in B major

Opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in B major on B F♯ G♯m E, the key where A♯dim is the vii° chord. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account needed to start.

Make a beat in B majorAll piano chords

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