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Hoots : Spelling of vii dim7 and vii half dim7 For the two chords above, diminished 7th (viio7) and half diminished 7th (vii07), are they usually spelled complete or incomplete? Or both? - freshhoot.com

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Spelling of vii dim7 and vii half dim7
For the two chords above, diminished 7th (viio7) and half diminished 7th (vii07), are they usually spelled complete or incomplete? Or both?


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First, I’m sorry your question got a downvote. It is a bit unclear what you’re asking but better to ask for clarity than do that. I will give you some information that hopefully will give you what you’re looking for.
You probably know both chords start with a diminished triad, R, b3 and b5. From there the diminished chord has a bb7 (same as a M6) and the half diminished a b7. For the vii in the key of C that would be:
B diminished: B D F Ab
B half diminished: B D F A
Now when you say “spelled”, regardless of whether these chords are spelled/written out or played it is necessary to include all their notes. The reason for this is that every note in both these chords plays an important part in their makeup and by having an incomplete spelling the chord either becomes ambiguous or even a completely different chord. For example, if you leave out the b3 is it a major or minor chord? Leave out the b5 and you won’t know if it’s diminished or not. Omit the 7th from either one and it is just a diminished triad.
There are some group playing situations where a pianist might omit the root from his chord voicing but if he does it would typically be played by the bass to complete the chord.


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