F Diminished Chord

Fdim Level 5: The Abyss

F Diminished (Fdim) is built from the notes F, Ab, B. 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 F Diminished Chord

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Notes and intervals

Interval Semitones Note
Root 0 F
Minor 3rd 3 Ab
Diminished 5th 6 B

What does f 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.

F Diminished Chord in music

A transitional chord that creates urgency. F diminished appears in chromatic passages and as a substitute dominant approaching Gb or E.

How to recognise f 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

F diminished appears in chromatic passages, often connecting E to Gb. Play E major → F diminished → Gb major to hear this chromatic ascent. The diminished chord functions as a colourful stepping stone between two major chords a whole step apart.

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in a F Diminished chord?
F Diminished (Fdim) contains three notes: F, Ab, B. The intervals are Root, Minor 3rd, Diminished 5th.
How do I recognise F 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 F Diminished in ChordFrog's Level 5 (The Abyss).
What level is F Diminished in ChordFrog?
F Diminished is introduced at Level 5: The Abyss. This is the final level, adding diminished and augmented triads for the complete chord vocabulary.

Other F chords

F Major Chord F Minor Chord F Augmented Chord F Sus2 Chord F Sus4 Chord

All Diminished Chords chords

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

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