Skip to content

Bdim chord

Bdim (B diminished) is B, D and F. It sounds tense and unstable: it wants to resolve a half step up.

Bdim

B diminished · B D F · 1 ♭3 ♭5

BDF

Or pick another chord to see and hear it

Root
Chord

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

Notes in the Bdim chord

From B, count 3 half steps up to D and 3 more to F. Its formula is 1 ♭3 ♭5: each number is the note’s place in the B major scale, with ♭ a half step lower and ♯ a half step higher. On the piano it is all white keys.

The notes of Bdim and their intervals from B
NoteFormulaIntervalHalf steps up
B1Root0
D♭3Minor third3
F♭5Diminished fifth6

Bdim 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

B D F

Written Bdim, with the root at the bottom.

1st inversion

D F B

Written Bdim/D: D at the bottom.

2nd inversion

F B D

Written Bdim/F: F at the bottom.

Keys with the Bdim chord

Bdim 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 Bdim

CC E GBdim is the vii° of C: it climbs a half step and resolves there.CmC E♭ GThe same half-step climb into Cm, in the minor key.E7E G♯ B DBdim to E7 is ii° to V7, on the way home in a minor key.

More piano chords

Other chords on B

BBmB7Bmaj7Bm7Bsus2Bsus4Badd9B9B6Bm7♭5Bdim7Baug

Diminished chords on other notes

CdimC♯dimDdimD♯dimEdimFdimF♯dimGdimG♯dimAdimA♯dim

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

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the Bdim chord?

Bdim is B, D and F. On the piano that is all white keys.

How do you play Bdim on the piano?

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

What are the inversions of Bdim?

Root position: B D F. 1st inversion: D F B (Bdim/D). 2nd inversion: F B D (Bdim/F). The notes are the same; only the lowest one changes.

What key is Bdim in?

In major keys, Bdim is the vii° chord in C major. In minor keys, it is the ii° chord in A minor and the vii° chord in C minor (with its raised seventh).

Can I make a beat with Bdim?

Yes. “Make a beat in C major” opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in C major on C G Am F, the key where Bdim 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 C major

Opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in C major on C G Am F, the key where Bdim 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 C majorAll piano chords

Keep going