E Diminished Cliché
I – ♯I°7 – ii – V progression in E major
E Diminished Cliché — I – ♯I°7 – ii – V
The E Diminished Cliché (E – Fdim – F#m – B) 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 (EMaj7 – Fdim7 – F#m7 – B7), the chromatic motion is even smoother.