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18.3: Analyzing Secondary Diminished Chords

  • Page ID
    117490
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    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.

    1. 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.

      sec-dim-analyzing-stack-in-thirds.svg

      The chord in question is an G♯ half–diminished seventh chord in first inversion.

    2. 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.

      sec-dim-analyzing-root-up-m2.svg

      This GøBG♯ø7/B is analyzed as viiøVviiø56/V in D major.


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