Jazz Piano Lesson 5
For Beginners
THE KEY OF C MAJOR

DIMINISHED 7TH CHORDS

Diminished 7th chords along with dominant 7ths and major 7ths chords are frequently used in jazz.  The basic rule for constructing a diminished 7th chord is to take a basic scale and lower the 7th by 2 half steps or double flat it.  Then lower the 5th of the scale by a half step.  Lastly, lower the 3rd of the scale a half step.  Let's take a look at a C major scale and see how to convert the notes of a C major scale into a  DIMINISHED 7th CHORD.

Using the Nashville numbering system, you would analyze a Diminished 7th chord in this manner.  The first set of numbers show you the sequence for a C scale.  If we play the ONE, the flated THREE, the flatted FIVE, and a double flatted 7 then you would have a diagram that is the second example below which is a Cdim7 Chord ( C diminished 7th Chord ).

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
C D E F G A B C
C D Eb (flat the 3rd) F Gb (flat the 5th) A Bbb (double flat the 7th) C

Below are the notes to play for a C diminished 7th chord
C   Eb   Gb   A  

Below Is A Diagram Of Cdim7 chord 

 

Try playing this jazz chord progression in your left hand: 
CM7-Dm7-Em7-FM7-Fdim7-Em7-Edim7-Dm7-Ddim7-CM7-C6.

Below are the chord diagrams for the above jazz chord progression.  Before you practice with these extended chords.  CLICK HERE AND WATCH ME ON THIS VIDEO DO SOME JAZZ AD-LIBING WITH THESE SAME CHORDS SHOWN BELOW.

C Major 7th Chord

 

D Minor 7th Chord

 

E Minor 7th Chord

 

F Major 7th Chord

 

F Diminished 7th Chord

 

E Minor 7th Chord

 

E Diminished 7th Chord

 

D Minor 7th Chord

 

D Diminished 7th Chord

 

G7 Chord

 

End This Progression with a C Major 7th Chord

 

Print up the sheet music to the above chord progression so that you have a hard copy to use as you practice this exercise on your piano or keyboard.

EZ-Notes PDF File

Standard Music Notation PDF File

Midi Audio File

Video File

APPLICATION OF THE ABOVE EXTENDED CHORDS TO A SONG BELOW:

BEAUTIFUL BROWN EYES
E-Z Notes Music Standard Music Notation Midi Audio File

Watch My YouTube Video Explanation Of Diminished 7th Chord

 

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