D# Diminished Cliché
I – ♯I°7 – ii – V progression in D# major
D# Diminished Cliché — I – ♯I°7 – ii – V
The D# Diminished Cliché (D# – Edim – Fm – A#) 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 (D#Maj7 – Edim7 – Fm7 – A#7), the chromatic motion is even smoother.