The short version
- Adim is A diminished. Its notes are A, C and E♭ (formula 1 – ♭3 – ♭5).
- Easiest way to play it: the open shape, frets x 0 1 2 1 x from low E to high E (x = don’t play).
- It sounds tense, spooky, unresolved. Use it as a passing chord that leads up a semitone (Bdim to C), or as the vii° of a major key.
- Adim turns up in 2 keys: B♭ major (as the vii°) and G minor (as the ii°).
- Try it in: B♭ – E♭ – Adim – B♭, the diminished chord as the leading-tone chord, pulling up a semitone.
How to play Adim on guitar, step by step
Start with the shape marked “Start here” above: the open chord, the easiest way in.
- Put your index finger on fret 1 of the 4th (D) string.
- Put your middle finger on fret 1 of the 2nd (B) string.
- Put your ring finger on fret 2 of the 3rd (G) string.
- Let the A string ring open.
- Don’t play the low E and high E strings: skip them, or touch them lightly with a spare finger so they can’t ring.
- Strum from the 5th (A) string down, then press Strum on this page to check it sounds the same.
Once that’s comfy, try the other shape. Shape 2 is the barre chord, root on the 6th string (5th fret): 5 6 7 5 x x. Same chord, different spot on the neck, which helps when the next chord lives nearby.
Buzzing? Press just behind the fret wire, not in the middle of the fret, and come down on your fingertips so they don’t touch the next string. Then press Strum and play along: if yours sounds duller, one string is muted somewhere.
Notes in the Adim chord
Adim is built from 3 notes. On guitar you’ll often play some of them twice, on different strings. That’s normal; the chord is still Adim.
| Note | Interval | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| A | 1 root | Names the chord and anchors the bass. |
| C | ♭3 minor third | Makes it minor (sad). |
| E♭ | ♭5 diminished fifth | The tense, spooky bit. |
What Adim sounds like, and when to use it
Two minor thirds stacked up. Tense and a little spooky: the chord that plays in old films when the villain twirls his moustache. Use it as a passing chord that leads up a semitone (Bdim to C), or as the vii° of a major key.
What key is Adim in?
Adim turns up in 2 keys: B♭ major (as the vii°) and G minor (as the ii°). Tap a key to see the rest of its chords on the circle of fifths.
| Key | Numeral | Spelled as |
|---|---|---|
| B♭ major | vii° | Adim |
| G minor | ii° | Adim |
Chords that go with Adim
Here’s a progression to try: B♭ – E♭ – Adim – B♭ (I–IV–vii°–I), the diminished chord as the leading-tone chord, pulling up a semitone.
More progressions → Transpose it →
Using Adim in a Suno prompt
Suno pays attention to chord names in a style prompt, at least some of the time. Put the progression in, keep the BPM, and let it fill in the rest. Then compare its guitar part with the shapes above.
Dark cabaret, 88 BPM, chord progression B♭ – E♭ – Adim – B♭, diminished passing chords, theatrical piano, creeping strings, mysterious and playful vocals
Adim chord FAQ
What notes are in the Adim chord?
Adim has 3 notes: A (the root), C (the minor third) and E♭ (the diminished fifth). The chord formula is 1 – ♭3 – ♭5.
How do you play Adim on guitar?
The easy way is open chord. Strings from low E to high E: x 0 1 2 1 x (x means don’t play that string). Put your index finger on fret 1 of the 4th (D) string. Put your middle finger on fret 1 of the 2nd (B) string. Put your ring finger on fret 2 of the 3rd (G) string. Let the A string ring open. Don’t play the low E and high E strings: skip them, or touch them lightly with a spare finger so they can’t ring.
What does the “dim” in Adim mean?
It tells you the chord type: Adim is A diminished. Two minor thirds stacked up. Tense and a little spooky: the chord that plays in old films when the villain twirls his moustache.
What key is Adim in?
Adim turns up in 2 keys: B♭ major (as the vii°) and G minor (as the ii°). Major keys: B♭ major. Minor keys: G minor.
What is the difference between Adim and Am?
Both have a minor third. Am has a perfect fifth (E); Adim drops it a semitone to E♭, which makes it tense and unstable.
What chords go well with Adim?
Try B♭, F7, Cm and Gm. The progression B♭ – E♭ – Adim – B♭ (I–IV–vii°–I) is the diminished chord as the leading-tone chord, pulling up a semitone. Press Play progression on this page to hear it.
Other diminished chords
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