Build Diminished 7th Chords: All Positions

You are given one note of a diminished seventh chord (chosen at random) and place the other three on the staff, in whichever position the question asks for: root position or any of the three inversions. The chord is diminished seventh: m3 + d5 + d7 above the root. The question shows which note of the chord you are given, and which ones you have to add depend on the inversion that comes up.

Structure of the diminished seventh chord

The diminished seventh chord is built on the seventh degree of the harmonic minor scale: three minor thirds stacked on top of each other (m3 + d5 + d7 above the root). It is symmetrical, and because its notes repeat every three half steps, it is a favorite chord for modulating.

Position	Symbol / figured bass	Intervals above the bass
Root position	°7	m3 + d5 + d7
First inversion	6/5	m3 + d5 + M6
Second inversion	4/3	m3 + A4 + M6
Third inversion	4/2	A2 + A4 + M6

Exercise

How to use the exercise: Click (or drag) on the staff to place each note. If a note needs an accidental, choose it first with the accidental buttons (double flat, flat, natural, sharp, double sharp). Undo removes the last note and Clear restarts the exercise. The magnifier shows the note you are about to place at a larger size.

In every inversion the chord still contains the same four notes. If you get stuck, find the interval of a second (or its inversion, a seventh) among the notes: the root is the upper note of that second when the chord is written in close position.

Other positions of the diminished seventh chord: root position, first inversion, second inversion, third inversion. You can also practice recognizing them (together with Dominant seventh and Half-diminished (leading-tone) seventh chords in the same position) or review the theory on the diminished seventh chord page.

Printable worksheet (PDF)

The same exercise on paper, for class: 21 chords of the diminished seventh, with the lowest note given, on one side of A4. The student writes the other three. With a separate answer sheet.

Printable PDF worksheet to write diminished seventh chords — A4 sheet with 21 chords.

Download the worksheet (PDF, A4) Answers

You may print and photocopy it freely for the classroom.

More worksheets

Need more practice on paper? Generate as many worksheets as you like, each one with different chords, and print them straight from your browser.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a diminished seventh chord?

How is the diminished seventh chord labeled in each position?

In root position it is labeled °7. The inversions use figured bass: 6/5 (first inversion), 4/3 (second inversion) and 4/2 (third inversion). The numbers are the intervals counted from the bass note.

Which note is given and which ones do I have to draw?

One note of the chord is given on the staff, together with the chord type and the position. You draw the other three. Which note is given changes from question to question.

Why is a double accidental sometimes needed?

Depending on the starting note, one of the chord notes may need a double sharp or a double flat to keep the correct letter name (for example, a diminished seventh chord on B♭ contains A𝄫). This appears mostly on the hard level.