Skip to content
Chord and 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 and 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 and Fret →

Part of the Triads family.

Other chords in this family

GGGGGmGmGmGmGaugG(b5)G5

See all chord types and qualities →