Diminished Triads

Diminished Triads

A diminished triad contains a Root (1), Minor 3ʳᵈ (♭3), and Diminished 5ᵗʰ (♭5).

Formula: 1–♭3–♭5

Unlike major and minor triads, a diminished triad is built from two minor 3ʳᵈs, making it a symmetrical chord.

Example: C° (Cdim) = C–E♭–G♭

Inversions

Because each pair of notes is separated by a Minor 3ʳᵈ, the interval pattern remains the same in every inversion.

Root Position: C–E♭–G♭

1ˢᵗ Inversion: E♭–G♭–C

2ⁿᵈ Inversion: G♭–C–E♭

Notice that every inversion still consists of two Minor 3ʳᵈs.

On the Fretboard

The notes of a C diminished triad (C–E♭–G♭) are shown below. Like the augmented triad, the NANDI Method uses the interval pattern of fourths to derive the chord tones instead of memorizing shapes.