In review. Most of the minor scales in this lesson are created in the harmonic minor mode. The full diminished 7th chord is based on the vii of that particular harmonic minor scale.A (harmonic) minor scale = A, B, C, D, E, F, G#, A, B, C, D, E, F, G#, A. vii7=full diminished seventh chord. Accepted chord symbol designating this chord=G#dim7 and notes are G#, B, D, F. Compare the chord structure against the harmonic minor scale running two octaves. Notice that from the G#(vii scale degree) the chord is built with every other note of the scale from the G#. This was a TRUTH. The same identical pattern for the full diminished chord exists and is constructed in the same manner. The only difference is the names of the notes being written enharmonically different in each of the diminished seventh chords below.
Another way of thinking about the relationships would be to remember that each note in the full diminished seventh chord takes on the function of being the vii degree of some minor scale in the harmonic minor mode.
The next diagrams will play the scale followed with the diminished 7th chord of that scale and then the diminshed 7th arpeggio. The diminished 7th arpeggio should have the same exact sound each time it is played, yet is re named enharmonically each time.
The arpeggio is shown twice. Play the arpeggio. Then play the chord and then back to the arpeggio and then the scale again. It will be a good study in sound comparison.
C harmonic minor scale = C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, B, C, D, Eb, F, G, Ab, B, C. vii diminished 7th = B, D, F, Ab = Bdim7.
