The short version
- Gdim is G diminished. Its notes are G, B♭ and D♭ (formula 1 – ♭3 – ♭5).
- Easiest way to play it: a barre on the 3rd fret, frets 3 4 5 3 x 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.
- Gdim turns up in 2 keys: A♭ major (as the vii°) and F minor (as the ii°).
- Can’t barre yet? Capo 3 and play an open Edim shape.
How to play Gdim on guitar, step by step
Start with the shape marked “Start here” above: the barre chord, root on the 6th string (3rd fret).
- Lay your index finger flat across fret 3, from the 6th (low E) string to the 3rd (G) string. That’s the barre: press near the fret wire and roll the finger slightly onto its side.
- Put your middle finger on fret 4 of the 5th (A) string.
- Put your ring finger on fret 5 of the 4th (D) string.
- Don’t play the B and high E strings: skip them, or touch them lightly with a spare finger so they can’t ring.
- Strum from the 6th (low E) 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 movable shape, root on the 5th string (10th fret): x 10 11 12 11 x. Same chord, different spot on the neck, which helps when the next chord lives nearby.
No barre? No problem. Pop a capo on the 3rd fret and play the open Edim shape: it comes out as Gdim. (Capo 5 with an open Ddim shape works too.) Barre chords take everyone a few weeks. Mine sounded like a kettle for a month.
Notes in the Gdim chord
Gdim 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 Gdim.
| Note | Interval | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| G | 1 root | Names the chord and anchors the bass. |
| B♭ | ♭3 minor third | Makes it minor (sad). |
| D♭ | ♭5 diminished fifth | The tense, spooky bit. |
What Gdim 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 Gdim in?
Gdim turns up in 2 keys: A♭ major (as the vii°) and F minor (as the ii°). Tap a key to see the rest of its chords on the circle of fifths.
| Key | Numeral | Spelled as |
|---|---|---|
| A♭ major | vii° | Gdim |
| F minor | ii° | Gdim |
Chords that go with Gdim
Here’s a progression to try: A♭ – D♭ – Gdim – A♭ (I–IV–vii°–I), the diminished chord as the leading-tone chord, pulling up a semitone.
More progressions → Transpose it →
Using Gdim 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 A♭ – D♭ – Gdim – A♭, diminished passing chords, theatrical piano, creeping strings, mysterious and playful vocals
Gdim chord FAQ
What notes are in the Gdim chord?
Gdim has 3 notes: G (the root), B♭ (the minor third) and D♭ (the diminished fifth). The chord formula is 1 – ♭3 – ♭5.
How do you play Gdim on guitar?
The medium way is barre chord, root on the 6th string (3rd fret). Strings from low E to high E: 3 4 5 3 x x (x means don’t play that string). Lay your index finger flat across fret 3, from the 6th (low E) string to the 3rd (G) string. That’s the barre: press near the fret wire and roll the finger slightly onto its side. Put your middle finger on fret 4 of the 5th (A) string. Put your ring finger on fret 5 of the 4th (D) string. Don’t play the B and high E strings: skip them, or touch them lightly with a spare finger so they can’t ring.
What does the “dim” in Gdim mean?
It tells you the chord type: Gdim is G 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 Gdim in?
Gdim turns up in 2 keys: A♭ major (as the vii°) and F minor (as the ii°). Major keys: A♭ major. Minor keys: F minor.
What is the difference between Gdim and Gm?
Both have a minor third. Gm has a perfect fifth (D); Gdim drops it a semitone to D♭, which makes it tense and unstable.
How can I play Gdim without a barre?
Use a capo. Put it on the 3rd fret and play the open Edim shape or Put it on the 5th fret and play the open Ddim shape. It sounds as Gdim. You can also play just the top three or four strings of the barre shape.
Other diminished chords
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