BookatlasPiano Rabbit Hole: Improvisation Theory & Practice
630 / 18210 · Module 14 — Diminished Chords in Practice← prev⊞ allnext →

Homework for Module 14

A. Distinguish the symbols

On B, play:

B° = B D F

Bø7 / Bm7♭5

B°7

Say the notes aloud.


B. Leading-tone diminished

Play:

B°7 → C

F♯°7 → G

C♯°7 → D

G♯°7 → A

Listen to the same resolution pattern.


C. Passing diminished

Practice:

C → C♯°7 → Dm

F → F♯°7 → G

G → G♯°7 → Am

Then transpose the concept yourself.


D. Symmetry

Play:

B-D-F-A♭

B-D-F-A♭

Then start the same chord from:

D

F

A♭

Notice that the physical note collection does not change.


E. Dominant ♭9 shortcut

Play:

LH G

RH B-D-F-A♭

Hear G7♭9.

Resolve to C.

Then:

LH E

RH G♯-B-D-F

Resolve to Am.


F. Compare two routes

Play:

C → A7 → Dm

C → A7 → Dm

then:

C → C♯°7 → Dm

Listen to how both emphasize the arrival on Dm in different ways.


G. Turnaround

Practice:

Cmaj7 → C♯°7 → Dm7 → G7 → Cmaj7

Then:

Cmaj7 → E7 → Am7 → A7 → Dm7 → G7 → Cmaj7

Cmaj7 → E7 → Am7 → A7 → Dm7 → G7 → Cmaj7

Compare diminished motion versus secondary-dominant motion.


H. Improvisation

Loop:

Cmaj7 | C♯°7 | Dm7 | G7

Use chord tones on C♯°7 and deliberately resolve at least one of:

C♯ → D

C♯ → D

E → F

E → F

G → A

G → A

B♭ → A/C