18.3: Analyzing Secondary Diminished Chords
18.3 Analyzing Secondary Diminished Chords
When you encounter a chord with a chromaticism and suspect it is a secondary diminished seventh chord, use the following process.
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Stack the chord in thirds to determine the root and quality. If the chord quality is a diminished triad or a half–diminished or fully–diminished seventh chord, go on to step 2. If the chord quality is not a diminished triad or a half–diminished or fully–diminished seventh chord, the chord is not a secondary diminished chord.
The chord in question is an G♯ half–diminished seventh chord in first inversion.
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Determine the note that would be a
minor 2nd above
the root of the chord you are analyzing. If this note of resolution would be the root of a diatonic chord, the chord you are analyzing is a secondary diminished chord.
This G ø BG♯ø7/B is analyzed as vii ø Vviiø56/V in D major.