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Chord and 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 and 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 and Fret →

Part of the Triads family.

Other chords in this family

AAAAAmAmAmAmAaugA(b5)A5

See all chord types and qualities →