Guitar arpeggio
Ab Diminished 7 Guitar Arpeggio
Ab Diminished 7 is a four-note seventh-chord arpeggio built from Ab, Cb, Ebb, and Gbb. It is also commonly called Ab Fully Diminished 7. Use it to study chord tones, interval formulas, and guitar fretboard positions.
- Chord tones
- Ab, Cb, Ebb, Gbb
- Formula
- 1 b3 b5 bb7
- Semitones
- 0 3 6 9
- Chord symbols
- Abdim7
- Also called
- Ab Fully Diminished 7
How to read this arpeggio
The chord tones are shown as pitch classes first. In the fretboard tool, square markers represent Ab root notes, while circular markers represent the remaining tones in the arpeggio.
Use the interactive fretboard to locate the Ab root notes and connect the remaining diminished 7 chord tones across standard tuning.
This same arpeggio shape is also commonly called Ab Fully Diminished 7.
Chord construction and defining tones
Ab diminished 7 combines b3 (Cb), b5 (Ebb), and bb7 (Gbb). Four notes spaced in minor thirds make the arpeggio symmetrical and give each note the potential to sound like a root.
Harmonic use
Use this arpeggio over Abdim7, as a leading-tone diminished chord, or as a passing structure between nearby chord shapes.
Practice this arpeggio on guitar
- Play the Ab Diminished 7 arpeggio from one Ab root to the next in at least two fretboard positions, saying each note name and interval degree aloud.
- Sequence b3 (Cb), b5 (Ebb), and bb7 (Gbb) in minor-third cycles and repeat the same idea three frets higher.
- Play a Ab diminished 7 line and resolve its notes outward or inward by semitone to a nearby chord.
Fretboard diagram
Open this arpeggio in the fretboard tool
Start with Ab Diminished 7 loaded, then adjust tuning, labels, colors, fret count, and orientation.
Open in interactive fretboard