Adim Guitar Chord (A Diminished)

Q: What notes are in the Adim chord?

Adim has 3 notes: A, C and E♭ . Its formula is 1 – ♭3 – ♭5: A is the root, C a minor 3rd and E♭ a diminished 5th above it.

Q: How do you play Adim on guitar?

The shape in the main diagram is x0121x (open position). Put your index finger (1) on the 1st fret of the D (4th) string. Put your ring finger (3) on the 2nd fret of the G (3rd) string. Put your middle finger (2) on the 1st fret of the B (2nd) string. Let the A (5th) string ring open (marked O). Don't play the low E (6th) or high E (1st) strings (marked X). Strum from the A (5th) string down (4 strings).

The Adim guitar chord (A diminished) has 3 notes: A, C and E♭. Below you'll find 3 shapes with diagrams, how to play it step by step, the keys it belongs to and common progressions that use it.

x0121x · open position

Notes: A – C – E♭
Formula: 1 – ♭3 – ♭5
Type: diminished
Difficulty: easy

Transpose a song

All 3 ways to play Adim on guitar

x0121x open position
xx78x8 at the 7th fret
x-12-10-x-10-11 at the 10th fret

Diagrams: strings run from the lowest on the left; X = don't play, O = open string, numbers = fingers (1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little finger).

How to play Adim on guitar

Main shape: x0121x (open position).

Put your index finger (1) on the 1st fret of the D (4th) string.
Put your ring finger (3) on the 2nd fret of the G (3rd) string.
Put your middle finger (2) on the 1st fret of the B (2nd) string.
Let the A (5th) string ring open (marked O).
Don't play the low E (6th) or high E (1st) strings (marked X).
Strum from the A (5th) string down (4 strings).

Adim notes and intervals

Note	Formula	Interval from the root
A	1	root
C	♭3	minor 3rd
E♭	♭5	diminished 5th

Inversions: the same notes with another one in the bass, written as slash chords: Adim/C (1st inversion) and Adim/E♭ (2nd inversion).

Adim on piano and ukulele

Adim on piano A – C – E♭
Adim on ukulele 2353

Which keys use Adim?

Adim is one of the basic chords of 2 keys. Its number (Roman numeral) and job change with the key:

Key	Written	Numeral	Function
B♭ major	A°	vii°	dominant
G minor	A°	ii°	predominant
B♭ minor	A°	vii°	dominant (harmonic minor)

Transpose Adim

Move the chord up or down by semitones to see its name and notes in another key.

Adim A C E♭ original

Diminished chords on every root: Edim Fdim F♯dim Gdim A♭dim Adim B♭dim Bdim Cdim C♯dim Ddim E♭dim

Frequently asked questions

What is a diminished chord?

A diminished chord has a root, a minor 3rd and a diminished 5th (1–♭3–♭5). It is written dim or °. In a major key, the chord on the 7th note (vii°) is diminished.

What notes are in the Adim chord?

Adim has 3 notes: A, C and E♭. Its formula is 1 – ♭3 – ♭5: A is the root, C a minor 3rd and E♭ a diminished 5th above it.

How do you play Adim on guitar?

The shape in the main diagram is x0121x (open position).

Put your index finger (1) on the 1st fret of the D (4th) string.
Put your ring finger (3) on the 2nd fret of the G (3rd) string.
Put your middle finger (2) on the 1st fret of the B (2nd) string.
Let the A (5th) string ring open (marked O).
Don't play the low E (6th) or high E (1st) strings (marked X).
Strum from the A (5th) string down (4 strings).

What key is Adim in?

Adim is vii° in B♭ major and ii° in G minor. It is also vii° in B♭ minor (harmonic minor, with the raised 7th). The other chords of B♭ major are B♭, Cm, Dm, E♭, F and Gm.

Is there an easy way to play Adim?

Adim is already one of the easier chords. The easiest shape is x0121x (open position).

How many ways can you play Adim on guitar?

This page shows 3 shapes: x0121x (open position), xx78x8 (at the 7th fret) and x-12-10-x-10-11 (at the 10th fret). All of them contain the chord's essential notes.

More chords

Last updated: October 12, 2026