The E flat diminished chord contains E♭, G♭ and B𝄫 (B double flat). Its formula is 1–♭3–♭5. B𝄫 is played on the A key of the piano.
Build the E flat diminished chord by stacking two minor thirds: E♭ to G♭ and G♭ to B𝄫. Each spans three semitones. B𝄫 preserves the fifth letter name above E♭ while showing its diminished interval.
Preserve the written spelling B𝄫 even when it shares a piano key with a simpler enharmonic name.
Choose a position to keep the written notes, sounding keys, bass note, playback and print reference synchronized.
E♭dim uses 1–♭3–♭5: E♭–G♭–B𝄫.
Compared with E♭ minor, lower the fifth by one semitone.
The chord tones stay the same while the lowest chord tone changes.
| Position | Symbol | Notes, low to high | Bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Root position, current selection | E♭dim | E♭4–G♭4–B𝄫4 | E♭4 |
| First inversion | E♭dim/G♭ | G♭4–B𝄫4–E♭5 | G♭4 |
| Second inversion | E♭dim/B𝄫 | B𝄫4–E♭5–G♭5 | B𝄫4 |
The E flat diminished chord diagrams identify keys and inversions without prescribing fingers. Read B𝄫 as a written note name and locate its A key; the spelling does not introduce an extra piano key.
Use the written notes, keyboard positions and playback without treating the diagram as a required hand shape.
Read left- and right-hand finger numbersOpen Music Theory
Supports: diminished triad formula and written tone spelling
Scope: Supports the chord formula and spelling only; keyboard layouts are PianoGrid examples, and no fingering is assigned.
E♭, G♭ and B𝄫. The double flat lowers B by two semitones, so B𝄫 sounds on the A key.
No. E♭ minor uses B♭ as its fifth. The E flat diminished chord lowers that fifth another semitone to B𝄫; both use G♭ as their third.
No. E♭dim is a three-note diminished triad. The dim7 symbol adds a fourth note and requires a different reference.
The lowest note changes to G♭ or B𝄫, but the chord retains the same three pitch classes. Select a position to compare the keyboard and sound.
Select the three pitch classes that make E♭dim, then check your answer.
This one-octave exercise checks pitch classes. Order and octave do not affect the result; fingering and live performance are not assessed.
One octave, C through B. Select a key again to remove it.
Chord tones: E♭–G♭–B𝄫 · Formula: 1, ♭3, ♭5
Dots mark the notes to play. C4 is middle C. Numbers identify octaves, not fingers.