Bass Exercises: One Octave Diminished Triad

One Octave Diminished Triad Exercises

Bass Exercise #1: Diminished Triad in a Ballad

In this example you can hear how the Ddim triad helps lead from the IV chord (D) back to the I chord (A). The bassline just outlines the triads D, Ddim and A, and then uses an E major pentatonic scale for a fill with the last note C# making a smooth transition back to D.

Bass Exercise #2: Common Diminished Triad Usage

It is very common to find the diminished triad used as a transition chord as in this gospel-esque progression. In this bassline you are mostly applying roots and fifths, passing notes and outlining the F triad and F#dim triad. Notice the sound of the F#dim bringing you smoothly back to C and the C#dim leading you to D7.