Playing Diminished Chords Ascending

Diminished chords can be used to connect any two chords whose root is separated by two semitones.

For instance, a chord whose root is C can be connected to a chord whose root is D by using a C♯ diminished chord. This can be used ascending, to go from the C to the D chord, or descending, to go from the D to C chord.

Because we explored how to descend using substitute dominant chords, in this lesson we’ll use diminished chords to ascend through a progression.

B♭^maj7

B^o7

C^-7

C♯^o7

D^-7

E♭^maj7

E^o7

F⁷

F♯^o7

G^-7

G♯^o7

A^-7♭5

The last pattern can resolve up by half-step to the starting chord-shape.

Hear It

Key Exercises

• Learn, memorize, and apply the diminished chord patterns.
• Repeat the progression, starting from a new chord form or new inversion. For instance, try starting from C^maj7, drop2, root position, middle four strings.