Scale degrees · B major

The 𝄫7 of B is A♭

The 𝄫7 (double-flat seven, written bb7) of B is A♭ (A flat): a diminished seventh above the root.

B — the root, 1A♭ — the 𝄫7

How to find it

Count letters first, the root included: B, C, D, E, F, G, A. A 7th lands on A.

Then the sound: a diminished seventh is 9 semitones above B, and the A that is 9 semitones up is A♭.

That is why it is A♭ and not G♯: G♯ is the same key on the piano, but from B it would be a 6th, not a 7th.

Where you meet it

The 𝄫7 is the 7th of the fully diminished chord. On the piano it is the same key as the 6, but a seventh is spelled with a seventh's letter.

In B°7:

B · D · F · A♭

The 𝄫7 in every key

KeyThe 𝄫7
CB𝄫
GF♭
DC♭
AG♭
ED♭
BA♭
F♯E♭
D♭C𝄫
A♭G𝄫
E♭D𝄫
B♭A𝄫
FE𝄫

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