F Diminished Triad
Chord Tones: F Diminished Triad
Symbol: dim, ° — Formula: 1-♭3-♭5
| Degree | Note | Frequency (A=440, Equal) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | F | 349.228 Hz |
| ♭3 | Ab | 415.305 Hz |
| ♭5 | B | 493.883 Hz |
Chord Notation
| Notation Type | Symbol / Value |
|---|---|
| Lead Sheet Symbol | Fdim |
| 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 | F – Ab – B | F | F Diminished Triad |
| First Inversion | Ab – B – F | Ab | F Diminished Triad/Ab |
| Second Inversion | B – F – Ab | B | F Diminished Triad/B |
Harmonic Function
The F diminished chord commonly functions as the subdominant (IV) in C major — plagal cadence endpoint. 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 F 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 F 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| F | 349.228 Hz | 347.654 Hz | 348.834 Hz |
| Ab | 415.305 Hz | 417.657 Hz | 418.601 Hz |
| B | 493.883 Hz | 495.000 Hz | 490.548 Hz |
Scales Containing the F Diminished Triad
These scales include the F Diminished Triad as a diatonic or characteristic chord: