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Fdim chord on guitar

Fdim (F diminished) is F, A♭ and C♭. It has no open shape, so it is played as a barre chord, most often the one at the 1st fret, written 1231xx. Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 6th to 3rd strings at the 1st fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 5th string, 2nd fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 3rd fret. Mute the 2nd and 1st strings by letting the fingers next to them touch them lightly.

Fdim

F diminished · F A♭ C♭ · 1 ♭3 ♭5

  • 1st fret

    Barre chord, root on the 6th string

    1231FC♭FA♭

    1231xx

  • 8th fret

    Root on the 5th string

    8fr1243FC♭FA♭

    x-8-9-10-9-x

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 F, the root.

How to play Fdim

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. Barre chord, root on the 6th string · 1st fret

    1231xx
    • Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 6th to 3rd strings at the 1st fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 5th string, 2nd fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 3rd fret.
    • Mute the 2nd and 1st strings by letting the fingers next to them touch them lightly.

  2. 2. Root on the 5th string · 8th fret

    x-8-9-10-9-x
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 5th string, 8th fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 4th string, 9th fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 2nd string, 9th fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 3rd string, 10th 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.

Notes in the Fdim chord

Fdim is F, A♭ and C♭, and it sounds tense and unstable: it wants to resolve a half step up. From F, count 3 half steps up to A♭ and 3 more to C♭. Its formula is 1 ♭3 ♭5. The shapes above play these notes in different orders and octaves, some more than once, but always with F lowest. See its inversions and keys on the Fdim piano chord page.

Chords that often come after Fdim

G♭xx4322Fdim is the vii° of G♭: it climbs a half step and resolves there.B♭7x13131Fdim to B♭7 is ii° to V7, on the way home in a minor key.

More guitar chords

Other chords on F

FFmF7Fmaj7Fm7Fsus2Fsus4Fadd9F9F6Fm7♭5Fdim7Faug

Diminished chords on other notes

CdimC♯dimDdimD♯dimEdimF♯dimGdimG♯dimAdimA♯dimBdim

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

Frequently asked questions

How do you play Fdim on guitar?

It has no open shape, so it is played as a barre chord, most often the one at the 1st fret, written 1231xx. Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 6th to 3rd strings at the 1st fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 5th string, 2nd fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 3rd fret. Mute the 2nd and 1st strings by letting the fingers next to them touch them lightly.

What notes are in the Fdim chord?

Fdim is F, A♭ and C♭. In the shape written 1231xx, the 6th to 3rd strings play F, C♭, F and A♭.

Is Fdim a barre chord?

Usually, yes: it has no open shape. The barre at the 1st fret (1231xx) is the one most players use; the same shape moved to another fret plays another root.

How many ways can you play Fdim on guitar?

This page shows two: 1231xx (1st fret) and x-8-9-10-9-x (8th 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 Fdim?

Yes. “Make a beat in F♯ major” opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in F♯ major on F♯ C♯ D♯m B, the key where Fdim is the vii° chord (written E♯dim). Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account is needed to start.

Make a beat in F♯ major

Opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in F♯ major on F♯ C♯ D♯m B, the key where Fdim is the vii° chord (written E♯dim). Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account needed to start.

Make a beat in F♯ majorAll guitar chords

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