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    1. Home
    3. Interval Library
    5. C sharp
    7. Diminished fifth

    Diminished fifth

    The distance spanning five note names, with 6 semitones between them.

    d56 semitones

    Guitar diagrams

    Sheet music

    Which chords use the Diminished fifth interval?

    Chords whose formulas include this interval from the root note.

    Which scales use the Diminished fifth interval?

    Scales whose formulas include this interval.

    Similar intervals

    Intervals with a comparable quality and character.

    Practice the Diminished fifth interval

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    Learn music theory with sonid

    Available on Android and iOS

    Practice the Diminished fifth interval

    Open the app and start your daily workout!

    Learn music theory with sonid

    Available on Android and iOS

    The diminished fifth (d5) spans 6 semitones and is one name for the tritone. It is a highly unstable interval that plays a central role in tension and resolution.

    Construction and spelling

    d5 is spelled as a fifth lowered by one semitone, such as C-Gb. Although it shares pitch distance with A4, its spelling indicates a contracted fifth function. This spelling choice matters for harmonic analysis.

    Harmonic and melodic usage

    Harmonically, d5 appears in dominant-function sonorities, diminished chords, and chromatic voice-leading. Melodically, it sounds dissonant and directional, often seeking resolution. In tonal harmony, the tritone is one of the main tension drivers.

    Examples

    • Tritone motion inside dominant seventh chords
    • Diminished chord structures and harmony
    NameAbbreviationDifficulty
    Diminished fourthd4Expert
    Diminished duodecimed12Expert
    Diminished octaved8Guru
    altered
  1. Chromatic lines emphasizing instability before cadence

    2. In practice

    Practice d5 from multiple roots and resolve it by contrary motion to stable intervals. Compare d5 with P5 to hear tension versus stability. Strong d5 recognition improves harmonic hearing and cadence awareness.

    NameAliasesDifficulty
    C sharp Diminisheddim, °, oEasy
    C sharp Minor seventh flat fifthm7b5, ø, -7b5, h7, hEasy
    C sharp Dominant ninth flat fifth9b5Easy
    C sharp Major ninth flat fifthM9b5Easy
    C sharp Minor ninth flat fifthm9b5Easy
    dim7, °7, o7Easy
    M7b5Intermediate
    o7M7Expert
    13b5Expert
    oM7Expert
    7b5Expert
    Mb5Guru
    C sharp Diminished seventh
    C sharp Major seventh flat fifth
    C sharp Diminished seventh major seventh
    C sharp Dominant thirteenth flat fifth
    C sharp Diminished major seventh
    C sharp Dominant seventh flat fifth
    C sharp Major flat fifth
    NameAliasesDifficulty
    C sharp Locrian-Beginner
    C sharp Chromatic-Easy
    C sharp Whole tone pentatonic-Easy
    C sharp Enigmatic-Easy
    C sharp Locrian majorarabianIntermediate
    half-diminished, aeolian b5Intermediate
    whole-half diminishedIntermediate
    minor seven flat five pentatonicExpert
    -Expert
    locrian natural 6, locrian sharp 6Expert
    bluesExpert
    -Expert
    -Guru
    -Guru
    superlocrian bb7, superlocrian diminishedGuru
    -Guru
    -Guru
    -Guru
    -Guru
    -Guru
    C sharp Locrian ♯2
    C sharp Diminished
    C sharp Locrian pentatonic
    C sharp Bebop locrian
    C sharp Locrian sixth
    C sharp Minor blues
    C sharp Oriental
    C sharp Composite blues
    C sharp Super locrian pentatonic
    C sharp Ultralocrian
    C sharp Neopolitan major pentatonic
    C sharp Ichikosucho
    C sharp Iwato
    C sharp Mystery sharp first
    C sharp Persian