F Diminished Cliché
I – ♯I°7 – ii – V progression in F major
F Diminished Cliché — I – ♯I°7 – ii – V
The F Diminished Cliché (F – F#dim – Gm – C) 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 (FMaj7 – F#dim7 – Gm7 – C7), the chromatic motion is even smoother.