The diminished seventh chord is unique because of the following:
It is created by stacking or harmonizing (like we have been doing with all the other 28 scales)
minor third intervals with four notes.
It is sometimes called a symmetrical chord because its interval make up (minor thirds) is regular.
Diminished seventh chord = R, b3rd, b5th, bb7th (or 6th)
In the key of G the notes would be = G, Bb, Db, E
The diminished chord repeats itself every minor 3rd interval (3 frets).
Bb, Db, E, G
Db, E, G, Bb
E, G, Bb, Db
So you can play any of these chords over G diminished seventh.
There are only three keys for the diminished seventh chord G, Ab, and A.
The scale most commonly used with this chord is the Diminished Scale.
In the key of G the notes would be: G, A, Bb, C, Db, Eb, E, F, G
Notice that the scale alternates between whole and half steps.
Now lets take every other note in a group of three and four notes and then create the other diatonic chords using five, six, seven and eight notes.
3 notes = G, Bb, Db = G diminished (Go)
4 notes = G, Bb, Db, E = G diminished seventh (Go7)
5 notes = G, Bb, Db, E, A = G diminished seventh add ninth (Go7/9)
6 notes = G, Bb, Db, E, A, C = G diminished seventh add ninth, eleventh (Go7/9/11
7 notes = G, Bb, Db, E, A, C, Eb = G diminished seventh add ninth, eleventh, flat thirteenth (Go7/9/11/b13)
8 notes = G, Bb, Db, E, A, C, Eb, F = G diminished seventh add ninth, eleventh, flat thirteenth, sharp sixth (Go7/9/11/b13/#6)
The same chord types will be the exact chords except starting on the Ab and A notes.
This is because of the symmetrical nature of the scale.
Also remember you can still use the following modes with the diminished seventh chord:
Harmonic Major Modes - Dorian b5- Mode 2
Melodic
Minor Modes - Superlocrian - Mode 7
Harmonic Minor
Modes - Ultralocrian - Mode 7
Now record (or have a friend play) the G diminished seventh chord for 5 to 10 minutes and live (or on another track) play the G diminished seventh scale scale using quarter then eighth notes. Start at or around 60 BPM.
Now transpose these to each position (register) of your instrument, then to all 15 keys.
All materials copyright 2010. For personal use only.
Vince Lauria Sun and Earth Music
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