Music theory definition
Diminished
A half step smaller than perfect or minor.
Hear an example
Play the example and listen for the idea described above.
One half step smaller or larger
- − ½ →
- /perfect + ½ →
- /perfect − ½ →
Learn it in context
This term is introduced in Unit 5: Intervals. Work through the explanations and exercises to connect the definition with music.
- Minor, augmented, diminished
Making intervals smaller and larger - and the tritone.
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- Chord quality trainer
Hear a chord and name its quality: major, minor, diminished, augmented, or a seventh chord.
Related music terms
- Interval
- The distance between two notes, named by number (how many letters) and quality.
- Perfect interval
- Unisons, 4ths, 5ths, and octaves in their natural size. They sound open and stable.
- Major interval
- The larger form of a 2nd, 3rd, 6th or 7th - the size found above the tonic of a major scale.
- Minor interval
- A major interval made a half step smaller.
- Augmented
- A half step larger than perfect or major.
- Tritone
- An interval of three whole steps (six half steps) - an augmented 4th or diminished 5th. Famously restless.