D♭ Diminished Chord

Dbdim Level 5: The Abyss

D♭ Diminished (Dbdim) is built from the notes Db, E, G. Its intervals are Root — Minor 3rd — Diminished 5th. Tense, compressed, and unstable. The diminished triad sounds like it needs to go somewhere — it creates a feeling of suspense, anxiety, or unresolved drama.

Hear D♭ Diminished Chord

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Notes and intervals

Interval Semitones Note
Root 0 Db
Minor 3rd 3 E
Diminished 5th 6 G

What does d♭ diminished chord sound like?

Tense, compressed, and unstable. The diminished triad sounds like it needs to go somewhere — it creates a feeling of suspense, anxiety, or unresolved drama.

D♭ Diminished Chord in music

A rare passing chord that creates tension before resolving to D or other nearby chords. You'll encounter it in chromatic jazz passages.

How to recognise d♭ diminished chord by ear

Diminished sounds "squeezed." Both intervals are minor thirds, creating a tight, symmetrical structure. If a chord makes you feel uneasy or tense — like something is about to happen — that's diminished.

Practice identifying this chord in ChordFrog's Level 5: The Abyss .

Practice tip

Db diminished often appears as a chromatic passing chord between C and D. Play C major → Db diminished → D minor to hear how it functions as connective tissue. This three-chord sequence trains your ear to spot diminished chords in their natural habitat.

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in a D♭ Diminished chord?
D♭ Diminished (Dbdim) contains three notes: Db, E, G. The intervals are Root, Minor 3rd, Diminished 5th.
How do I recognise D♭ Diminished by ear?
Diminished sounds "squeezed." Both intervals are minor thirds, creating a tight, symmetrical structure. If a chord makes you feel uneasy or tense — like something is about to happen — that's diminished. Practice identifying D♭ Diminished in ChordFrog's Level 5 (The Abyss).
What level is D♭ Diminished in ChordFrog?
D♭ Diminished is introduced at Level 5: The Abyss. This is the final level, adding diminished and augmented triads for the complete chord vocabulary.

Other Db chords

D♭ Major Chord D♭ Minor Chord D♭ Augmented Chord D♭ Sus2 Chord D♭ Sus4 Chord

All Diminished Chords chords

C Diminished Chord D Diminished Chord E♭ Diminished Chord E Diminished Chord F Diminished Chord F♯ Diminished Chord G Diminished Chord A♭ Diminished Chord A Diminished Chord B♭ Diminished Chord B Diminished Chord

Hear d♭ diminished chord for yourself

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