E Diminished Seventh Chord
Chord Tones: E Diminished Seventh Chord
Symbol: dim7, °7 — Formula: 1-♭3-♭5-𝄫7
| Degree | Note | Frequency (A=440, Equal) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | E | 329.628 Hz |
| ♭3 | G | 391.995 Hz |
| ♭5 | A# | 466.164 Hz |
| 𝄫7 | C# | 277.183 Hz |
Chord Notation
| Notation Type | Symbol / Value |
|---|---|
| Lead Sheet Symbol | Edim7 |
| All Common Symbols | dim7, °7 |
| Interval Formula | 1-♭3-♭5-𝄫7 |
| Harmonic Category | tense |
Roman numeral (e.g. I, IV, V) and Nashville Number notation are key-dependent. See Keys pages for chord function within specific keys.
Inversions
| Inversion | Notes (low to high) | Bass Note | Slash Notation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Root Position | E – G – A# – C# | E | E Diminished Seventh Chord |
| First Inversion | G – A# – C# – E | G | E Diminished Seventh Chord/G |
| Second Inversion | A# – C# – E – G | A# | E Diminished Seventh Chord/A# |
| Third Inversion | C# – E – G – A# | C# | E Diminished Seventh Chord/C# |
Harmonic Function
The E diminished seventh chord commonly functions as the mediant (iii) in C major or dominant (V) in A major. Its harmonic role varies by key — in major keys it provides extended harmonic tension.
The diminished seventh chord consists of four equally-spaced minor thirds, creating a symmetrical, highly dissonant chord. It is used as a dramatic pivot chord and in chromatic passing harmony.
Common Progressions
The E Diminished Seventh Chord frequently appears in these progression patterns (shown in Roman numeral notation relative to key):
vii°7-I#iv°7-V
Songs Featuring the Diminished Seventh Chord
Well-known songs where the E Diminished Seventh Chord — or this chord type — plays a prominent role:
- While My Guitar Gently Weeps – Beatles
- Georgia on My Mind – Ray Charles
- Sophisticated Lady – Duke Ellington
Tuning Frequencies Across Temperaments
Frequencies shown at A=440 Hz. View full temperament data for any note.
| Note | Equal Temp. | Pythagorean | Just Intonation |
|---|---|---|---|
| E | 329.628 Hz | 330.001 Hz | 327.032 Hz |
| G | 391.995 Hz | 391.111 Hz | 392.438 Hz |
| A# | 466.164 Hz | 463.538 Hz | 470.926 Hz |
| C# | 277.183 Hz | 278.437 Hz | 279.067 Hz |
Scales Containing the E Diminished Seventh Chord
These scales include the E Diminished Seventh Chord as a diatonic or characteristic chord: