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Gdim chord on guitar

Gdim (G diminished) is G, B♭ and D♭. It has no open shape, so it is played as a barre chord, most often the one at the 3rd fret, written 3453xx. Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 6th to 3rd strings at the 3rd fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 5th string, 4th fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 5th fret. Mute the 2nd and 1st strings by letting the fingers next to them touch them lightly.

Gdim

G diminished · G B♭ D♭ · 1 ♭3 ♭5

  • 3rd fret

    Barre chord, root on the 6th string

    3fr1231GD♭GB♭

    3453xx

  • 10th fret

    Root on the 5th string

    10fr1243GD♭GB♭

    x-10-11-12-11-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 G, the root.

How to play Gdim

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 · 3rd fret

    3453xx
    • Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 6th to 3rd strings at the 3rd fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 5th string, 4th fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 5th fret.
    • Mute the 2nd and 1st strings by letting the fingers next to them touch them lightly.

  2. 2. Root on the 5th string · 10th fret

    x-10-11-12-11-x
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 5th string, 10th fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 4th string, 11th fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 2nd string, 11th fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 3rd string, 12th 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 Gdim chord

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

Chords that often come after Gdim

A♭466544Gdim is the vii° of A♭: it climbs a half step and resolves there.A♭m466444The same half-step climb into A♭m, in the minor key.C7x32310Gdim to C7 is ii° to V7, on the way home in a minor key.

More guitar chords

Other chords on G

GGmG7Gmaj7Gm7Gsus2Gsus4Gadd9G9G6Gm7♭5Gdim7Gaug

Diminished chords on other notes

CdimC♯dimDdimD♯dimEdimFdimF♯dimG♯dimAdimA♯dimBdim

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

Frequently asked questions

How do you play Gdim on guitar?

It has no open shape, so it is played as a barre chord, most often the one at the 3rd fret, written 3453xx. Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 6th to 3rd strings at the 3rd fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 5th string, 4th fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 5th fret. Mute the 2nd and 1st strings by letting the fingers next to them touch them lightly.

What notes are in the Gdim chord?

Gdim is G, B♭ and D♭. In the shape written 3453xx, the 6th to 3rd strings play G, D♭, G and B♭.

Is Gdim a barre chord?

Usually, yes: it has no open shape. The barre at the 3rd fret (3453xx) is the one most players use; the same shape moved to another fret plays another root.

How many ways can you play Gdim on guitar?

This page shows two: 3453xx (3rd fret) and x-10-11-12-11-x (10th 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 Gdim?

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

Make a beat in A♭ major

Opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in A♭ major on A♭ E♭ Fm D♭, the key where Gdim is the vii° chord. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account needed to start.

Make a beat in A♭ majorAll guitar chords

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