C Diminished Cliché
I – ♯I°7 – ii – V progression in C major
C Diminished Cliché — I – ♯I°7 – ii – V
The C Diminished Cliché (C – C#dim – Dm – G) 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 (CMaj7 – C#dim7 – Dm7 – G7), the chromatic motion is even smoother.