E diminished chord (Edim)

E diminished is a 3-note diminished chord: E – G – B♭. It sounds unstable and tense. Here it is on guitar, piano and ukulele, with fingering and audio.

NotesE – G – B♭
Formula1 – ♭3 – ♭5
SymbolEdim · E° · Em♭5
TypeDiminished chord

E diminished on guitar

Fret 2 (D shape)
Fret 7 (A shape)

How to place your fingers (fret 2)

Finger 1 (index) on fret 2 of string 4 (D).
Place finger 2 (middle) at fret 3 on string 3 (G).
Finger 4 (pinky) on fret 5 of the 2nd string (B).
Finger 3 (ring) on fret 3 of the 1st string (E).
Don't play the 6th or 5th strings: strum from the 4th string.

The numbers inside the dots are the fingers of your left hand: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring and 4 pinky. The colored dots mark the root (E). The other positions let you change chords without jumping along the neck, or give you a higher-pitched sound.

E diminished on piano

In root position, play E – G – B♭ from bottom to top with fingers 1, 3 and 5 of your right hand (thumb, middle and pinky). With your left hand you usually play just the root (E) or the root and the fifth.

Inversions

First inversion: G – B♭ – E
Second inversion: B♭ – E – G

E diminished on ukulele

Open position
From fret 6

Standard tuning G – C – E – A (the G string is the high one). Is your ukulele in tune? Use the ukulele tuner.

Notes and intervals of E diminished

E1 · root
G♭3 · minor third
B♭♭5 · diminished fifth

It's the seventh degree of the major scale and works as a passing chord between two chords a whole step apart.

Progressions with Edim

A leading tone that resolves: vii° – I

Edim is the seventh degree of F major and leads to F.

Passing chord: I – ♯i° – ii

It climbs by half steps between two chords a whole step apart.

Which keys contain E diminished?

Edim belongs to 2 keys: in each one it plays a different role depending on the degree (the Roman numeral).

Key	Degree
F major	vii°
D natural minor	ii°

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the E diminished chord?

E diminished (Edim) has 3 notes: E (root), G (minor third), B♭ (diminished fifth).

How do you play E diminished on guitar?

The most common shape starts at fret 2: x x 2 3 5 3 (from the 6th to the 1st string). Finger 1 (index) on fret 2 of the 4th string (D). Finger 2 (middle) on fret 3 of the 3rd string (G). Finger 4 (pinky) on fret 5 of the 2nd string (B). Finger 3 (ring) on fret 3 of the 1st string (E). Do not play the 6th and 5th strings: strum from the 4th string.

How do you write E diminished as a chord symbol?

It is written Edim; you may also see E° or Em♭5. Letter-name chord notation uses C, D, E, F, G, A and B for the notes.

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