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Gdim chord

Gdim (G diminished) is G, B♭ and D♭. It sounds tense and unstable: it wants to resolve a half step up.

Gdim

G diminished · G B♭ D♭ · 1 ♭3 ♭5

GB♭D♭

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Root
Chord

Tap keys on the piano to find which chord they make. The editor opens without an account.

Notes in the Gdim chord

From G, count 3 half steps up to B♭ and 3 more to D♭. Its formula is 1 ♭3 ♭5: each number is the note’s place in the G major scale, with ♭ a half step lower and ♯ a half step higher. On the piano it is one white key and two black keys (B♭ and D♭).

The notes of Gdim and their intervals from G
NoteFormulaIntervalHalf steps up
G1Root0
B♭♭3Minor third3
D♭♭5Diminished fifth6

Gdim chord inversions

An inversion is the same chord with another of its notes at the bottom. It keeps the chord’s sound but moves your hand less between chords, which is why pianists use them all the time. The notes are listed lowest first.

Root position

G B♭ D♭

Written Gdim, with the root at the bottom.

1st inversion

B♭ D♭ G

Written Gdim/B♭: B♭ at the bottom.

2nd inversion

D♭ G B♭

Written Gdim/D♭: D♭ at the bottom.

Keys with the Gdim chord

Gdim is built from the notes of these keys, so it fits songs in them. The Roman numeral says which note of the key it starts on. Each key’s page has its scale and all its chords.

Major keys
Minor keys

Raised 7th: the minor key with its seventh note a half step higher (harmonic minor), as most minor songs play their V and vii chords.

Chords that often come after Gdim

A♭A♭ C E♭Gdim is the vii° of A♭: it climbs a half step and resolves there.A♭mA♭ C♭ E♭The same half-step climb into A♭m, in the minor key.C7C E G B♭Gdim to C7 is ii° to V7, on the way home in a minor key.

More piano 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 piano chords chart.

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the Gdim chord?

Gdim is G, B♭ and D♭. On the piano that is one white key and two black keys (B♭ and D♭).

How do you play Gdim on the piano?

With your right hand, put your thumb (1) on G, your middle finger (3) on B♭ and your little finger (5) on D♭. With your left hand it is 5, 3 and 1 on the same notes. From G, count 3 half steps up to B♭ and 3 more to D♭.

What are the inversions of Gdim?

Root position: G B♭ D♭. 1st inversion: B♭ D♭ G (Gdim/B♭). 2nd inversion: D♭ G B♭ (Gdim/D♭). The notes are the same; only the lowest one changes.

What key is Gdim in?

In major keys, Gdim is the vii° chord in A♭ major. In minor keys, it is the ii° chord in F minor and the vii° chord in G♯ minor (written F𝄪dim, with its raised seventh).

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 piano chords

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