Gdim Guitar Chord (G Diminished)

Q: What notes are in the Gdim chord?

Gdim has 3 notes: G, B♭ and D♭ . Its formula is 1 – ♭3 – ♭5: G is the root, B♭ a minor 3rd and D♭ a diminished 5th above it.

Q: How do you play Gdim on guitar?

The shape in the main diagram is 31x32x (at the 1st fret). Put your ring finger (3) on the 3rd fret of the low E (6th) string. Put your index finger (1) on the 1st fret of the A (5th) string. Put your little finger (4) on the 3rd fret of the G (3rd) string. Put your middle finger (2) on the 2nd fret of the B (2nd) string. Don't play the D (4th) or high E (1st) strings (marked X). Strum from the low E (6th) string down (4 strings).

The Gdim guitar chord (G diminished) has 3 notes: G, B♭ and D♭. Below you'll find 4 shapes with diagrams, how to play it step by step, the keys it belongs to and common progressions that use it.

31x32x · at the 1st fret

Notes: G – B♭ – D♭
Formula: 1 – ♭3 – ♭5
Type: diminished
Difficulty: easy

Transpose a song

All 4 ways to play Gdim on guitar

31x32x at the 1st fret
xx56x6 at the 5th fret
x-10-8-x-8-9 at the 8th fret
x-10-11-12-11-x 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 Gdim on guitar

Main shape: 31x32x (at the 1st fret).

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

Gdim notes and intervals

Note	Formula	Interval from the root
G	1	root
B♭	♭3	minor 3rd
D♭	♭5	diminished 5th

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

Gdim on piano and ukulele

Gdim on piano G – B♭ – D♭
Gdim on ukulele 0131

Which keys use Gdim?

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

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

Transpose Gdim

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

Gdim G B♭ D♭ original

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

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the Gdim chord?

Gdim has 3 notes: G, B♭ and D♭. Its formula is 1 – ♭3 – ♭5: G is the root, B♭ a minor 3rd and D♭ a diminished 5th above it.

How do you play Gdim on guitar?

The shape in the main diagram is 31x32x (at the 1st fret).

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

What key is Gdim in?

Gdim is vii° in A♭ major and ii° in F minor. It is also vii° in G♯ minor (harmonic minor, with the raised 7th). The other chords of A♭ major are A♭, B♭m, Cm, D♭, E♭ and Fm.

How many ways can you play Gdim on guitar?

This page shows 4 shapes: 31x32x (at the 1st fret), xx56x6 (at the 5th fret), x-10-8-x-8-9 (at the 8th fret) and x-10-11-12-11-x (at the 10th fret). All of them contain the chord's essential notes.

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.

Is Gdim hard to play on guitar?

No: the easiest shape (xx56x6) has no barre and uses 3 fingers, so it is one of the easier chords to learn. (Difficulty here is a rough guide based on barres, stretches and the number of fingers.)

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Last updated: October 12, 2026