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Chord & Fret

Adim — diminished

Notes in Adim: A – C – EbFormula: 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

Adim, x 0 1 2 1 xAdim132×AD#AC×
Guitar
Adim, x 0 1 2 1 xAdim132×AD#AC×
Electric guitar
Adim, 1 2 1 1Adim1423D#ACD#
Cavaquinho
Adim, 5 3 5 0Adim213CD#AA
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 Adim. In Chord & Fret, you hear every shape strummed string by string, in each instrument's own voice; compare positions with their difficulty marked; and change the tuning — the shape rewrites itself. 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

AAAAAmAmAmAmAaugA(b5)A5

See all chord types and qualities →