#iv°7–V

The #iv°7–V progression uses a chromatic diminished seventh chord to approach the dominant from below. The #iv°7 chord is enharmonically equivalent to a rootless V7(b9), creating an intense chromatic pull toward the dominant. This common-tone diminished chord resolves smoothly because three of its four notes move by half step to chord tones of V. It is a favorite device in barbershop, jazz, and romantic-era classical music.

Pattern: #iv°7 – V Example in C Major: F♯dim7 – G

Genre: classical, jazz, barbershop Difficulty: advanced

Choose a Key

C Major F♯dim7 – G G Major C♯dim7 – D D Major G♯dim7 – A A Major D♯dim7 – E E Major A♯dim7 – B B Major Fdim7 – F♯ F♯ Major Cdim7 – C♯ F Major Bdim7 – C B♭ Major Edim7 – F E♭ Major Adim7 – B♭ A♭ Major Ddim7 – E♭ D♭ Major Gdim7 – A♭

Song Examples

Georgia on My Mind — Ray Charles
Heart and Soul — Hoagy Carmichael
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas — traditional

Related Progressions

viidim7–I V7–I viidim–I