B Diminished Triad
Chord Tones: B Diminished Triad
Symbol: dim, ° — Formula: 1-♭3-♭5
| Degree | Note | Frequency (A=440, Equal) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | B | 493.883 Hz |
| ♭3 | D | 293.665 Hz |
| ♭5 | F | 349.228 Hz |
Chord Notation
| Notation Type | Symbol / Value |
|---|---|
| Lead Sheet Symbol | Bdim |
| All Common Symbols | dim, ° |
| Interval Formula | 1-♭3-♭5 |
| Harmonic Category | dissonant |
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 | B – D – F | B | B Diminished Triad |
| First Inversion | D – F – B | D | B Diminished Triad/D |
| Second Inversion | F – B – D | F | B Diminished Triad/F |
Harmonic Function
The B diminished chord commonly functions as the leading tone (vii) in C major or dominant (V) in E major. Its harmonic role varies by key — in major keys it provides stable harmonic grounding.
The diminished triad features a flat third and flat fifth, creating a tense, unstable sound. It occurs naturally on the seventh degree of the major scale and resolves strongly to the tonic.
Common Progressions
The B Diminished Triad frequently appears in these progression patterns (shown in Roman numeral notation relative to key):
vii°-Iii°-V
Songs Featuring the Diminished Triad
Well-known songs where the B Diminished Triad — or this chord type — plays a prominent role:
- Whole Lotta Love – Led Zeppelin (bridge)
- Killing Me Softly – Roberta Flack
- Black Magic Woman – Santana
Tuning Frequencies Across Temperaments
Frequencies shown at A=440 Hz. View full temperament data for any note.
| Note | Equal Temp. | Pythagorean | Just Intonation |
|---|---|---|---|
| B | 493.883 Hz | 495.000 Hz | 490.548 Hz |
| D | 293.665 Hz | 293.332 Hz | 294.329 Hz |
| F | 349.228 Hz | 347.654 Hz | 348.834 Hz |
Scales Containing the B Diminished Triad
These scales include the B Diminished Triad as a diatonic or characteristic chord: