A Diminished Cliché
I – ♯I°7 – ii – V progression in A major
A Diminished Cliché — I – ♯I°7 – ii – V
The A Diminished Cliché (A – A#dim – Bm – E) uses a chromatic diminished 7th chord built on the raised first degree as a passing chord between the tonic and ii. This half-step ascent created the nostalgic, sophisticated sound of Tin Pan Alley and 1930s jazz standards. With seventh chords (AMaj7 – A#dim7 – Bm7 – E7), the chromatic motion is even smoother.