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Bdim7 chord on guitar

Bdim7 (B diminished seventh) is B, D, F and A♭. The easiest way to play it is on four strings, written x2313x, with no barre. Put your 1st finger (index) on the 3rd string, 1st fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 5th string, 2nd fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 3rd fret. Put your 4th finger (little) on the 2nd string, 3rd fret. Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th. Mute the 1st string by letting a finger next to it touch it lightly.

Bdim7

B diminished seventh · B D F A♭ · 1 ♭3 ♭5 ♭♭7

  • 1st fret

    Root on the 5th string

    2314BFA♭D

    x2313x

  • 6th fret

    Root on the 6th string

    6fr2131BA♭DF

    7x676x

Or pick another chord to see and hear it

Root
Chord

Dots show where each finger goes, numbered 1 (index) to 4 (little); the green ones are B, the root.

How to play Bdim7

Strings are counted from the thinnest: the 1st is the high E and the 6th the low E. Each shape is written as tab from the 6th string to the 1st, a number for the fret to press, 0 for an open string and x for one not played.

  1. 1. Root on the 5th string · 1st fret

    x2313x
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 3rd string, 1st fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 5th string, 2nd fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 3rd fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 2nd string, 3rd fret.
    • Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.
    • Mute the 1st string by letting a finger next to it touch it lightly.

  2. 2. Root on the 6th string · 6th fret

    7x676x
    • Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 4th to 2nd strings at the 6th fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 6th string, 7th fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 3rd string, 7th fret.
    • Mute the 5th and 1st strings by letting the fingers next to them touch them lightly.

Notes in the Bdim7 chord

Bdim7 is B, D, F and A♭, and it sounds dramatic and suspenseful, the classic film-villain chord. From B, count 3 half steps up to D, 3 more to F and 3 more to A♭. Its formula is 1 ♭3 ♭5 ♭♭7. The shapes above play these notes in different orders and octaves, some more than once, but always with B lowest. See its inversions and keys on the Bdim7 piano chord page.

Chords that often come after Bdim7

Cmx35543Bdim7 is the vii°7 of Cm: every note leans into it.Cx32010The same half step up into C, home in the major key.

More guitar chords

Other chords on B

BBmB7Bmaj7Bm7Bsus2Bsus4Badd9B9B6BdimBm7♭5Baug

Diminished seventh chords on other notes

Cdim7C♯dim7Ddim7D♯dim7Edim7Fdim7F♯dim7Gdim7G♯dim7Adim7A♯dim7

Or see every chord at once on the guitar chord chart.

Frequently asked questions

How do you play Bdim7 on guitar?

The easiest way to play it is on four strings, written x2313x, with no barre. Put your 1st finger (index) on the 3rd string, 1st fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 5th string, 2nd fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 3rd fret. Put your 4th finger (little) on the 2nd string, 3rd fret. Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th. Mute the 1st string by letting a finger next to it touch it lightly.

What notes are in the Bdim7 chord?

Bdim7 is B, D, F and A♭. In the shape written x2313x, the 5th to 2nd strings play B, F, A♭ and D.

Is Bdim7 a barre chord?

No: none of its shapes here needs a barre.

How many ways can you play Bdim7 on guitar?

This page shows two: x2313x (1st fret) and 7x676x (6th fret). Any chord can be played in more places up the neck; these are the ones chord books show first.

Can I make a beat with Bdim7?

Yes. “Make a beat in C minor” opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in C minor on Cm A♭ E♭ B♭, the key where Bdim7 is the vii°7 chord. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account is needed to start.

Make a beat in C minor

Opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in C minor on Cm A♭ E♭ B♭, the key where Bdim7 is the vii°7 chord. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account needed to start.

Make a beat in C minorAll guitar chords

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