vii°7–I

The vii°7–I progression uses the fully diminished seventh chord on the leading tone for a dramatic resolution to the tonic. The diminished seventh chord's symmetrical structure (four notes equally spaced by minor thirds) creates maximum tension and ambiguity, making it one of the most emotionally charged cadences in Western music. It is a hallmark of classical drama and film suspense.

Pattern: vii°7 – I Example in C Major: Bdim7 – C

Genre: classical, jazz, film Difficulty: intermediate

Choose a Key

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

Song Examples

While My Guitar Gently Weeps — The Beatles
Phantom of the Opera — Andrew Lloyd Webber
Sophisticated Lady — Duke Ellington

Related Progressions

viidim–I sharpivdim7–V V7–I