G diminished chord (Gdim)

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

NotesG – B♭ – D♭
Formula1 – ♭3 – ♭5
SymbolGdim · G° · Gm♭5
TypeDiminished chord

G diminished on guitar

Fret 5 (D shape)
Fret 10 (A shape)

How to place your fingers (fret 5)

Place finger 1 (index finger) at fret 5 on the 4th string (D).
Finger 2 (middle finger) on fret 6 of the 3rd string (G).
Finger 4 (pinky) on fret 8 of the 2nd string (B).
Finger 3 (ring finger) on fret 6 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 (G). The other positions let you change chords without jumping along the neck, or give you a higher-pitched sound.

G diminished on piano

In root position, play G – B♭ – D♭ 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 (G) or the root and the fifth.

Inversions

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

G diminished on ukulele

Open position
From fret 4

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 G diminished

G1 · root
B♭♭3 · minor third
D♭♭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 Gdim

A leading tone that resolves: vii° – I

Gdim is the seventh degree of A♭ major and leads to A♭.

Passing chord: I – ♯i° – ii

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

Which keys contain G diminished?

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

Key	Degree
A♭ major	vii°
F natural minor	ii°

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the G diminished chord?

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

How do you play G diminished on guitar?

The most common shape starts at fret 5: x x 5 6 8 6 (from the 6th to the 1st string). Place finger 1 (index) on fret 5 of the 4th string (D). Place finger 2 (middle) on fret 6 of the 3rd string (G). Place finger 4 (pinky) on fret 8 of the 2nd string (B). Place finger 3 (ring) on fret 6 of the 1st string (E). Do not play the 6th or 5th strings: strum from the 4th string.

How do you write G diminished as a chord symbol?

It is written Gdim; you may also see G° or Gm♭5. In letter notation, notes use letters: C = do, D = re, E = mi, F = fa, G = sol, A = la, and B = ti.

Want to play whole songs?

A teacher shows you how to change chords smoothly, strum and play along to your favorite songs, in online lessons or at home in Bogotá.

Message us on WhatsApp See lessons