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# – Gdim – G#m – 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 (F#Maj7 – Gdim7 – G#m7 – C#7), the chromatic motion is even smoother.