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Chord & Fret

Gdim — diminished

Notes in Gdim: G – Bb – DbFormula: 1 – b3 – b5

In the formula, the numbers count steps of the major scale starting from the note that names the chord; "b" lowers a half step, "#" raises one — and a slash names the bass note.

The diminished triad pairs the minor third with the diminished fifth — that is, the fifth shrunk by a semitone. No note is left to rest on: the chord is unstable on purpose and asks for a continuation.

The same chord on all four instruments

Gdim, 3 4 x 3 x xGdim132GC#×A#××
Guitar
Gdim, 3 4 x 3 x xGdim132GC#×A#××
Electric guitar
Gdim, 5 3 2 5Gdim3214GA#C#G
Cavaquinho
Gdim, 0 1 3 1Gdim132GC#GA#
Ukulele

Where to use it: A passing chord between two neighbours, and the seventh degree of major keys. It is almost never the arrival point — it exists to push the music to the next chord.

Every region of the neck hides more shapes of Gdim. In Chord & Fret, you check it note by note, playing any shape as an arpeggio; compare positions with their difficulty marked; and set a capo — the diagrams redraw above it. Start free. Unlock everything with Pro. Plays offline.

See the whole neck in Chord & Fret →

Part of the Triads family.

Other chords in this family

GGGGGmGmGmGmGaugG(b5)G5

See all chord types and qualities →