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Bbdim7 Guitar Chord

Bbdim7 guitar chord: see the fingering, compare positions, and hear it before you play.

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Shape 1/3
Chord shapes:(3 positions)
Bbdim7Guitar fingering diagram for Bbdim71234×132×STRING6ª×5ªA#4ªE3ªG2ªC#1ª×
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What sets Bbdim7 apart

The notes of Bbdim7 are Bb, Db, Fb and Abb. Bb is the root, Db the minor third, Fb the flat fifth and Abb the diminished seventh. Said aloud, its notes are B flat, D flat, F flat and A double flat. Each note sits three semitones above the one before. Slide the same shape three frets and you get the same notes.

From the low string to the high one you hear Bb, Fb, Abb and Db. The lowest note is Bb on string 5 and the highest is Db on string 2.

In Bbdim7, string 3 is played open and adds Abb. Strings 6 and 1 are not played. Everything fits between frets 1 and 2. Besides the main one there are two more shapes, at frets 5 and 8.

Bbm7b5 is one change away. String 3 is pressed at fret 1, bringing in Ab, the minor seventh of Bbm7b5. It shares two notes with Gb, Bb and Db. Going to Bb, one position stays the same.

Chord Progressions

Explore recommended harmonic circles on CifraLab:

01C C - Am - Dm - G702G G - Em - Am - D703D D - Bm - Em - A704A A - F#m - Bm - E7
Music Theory & Formula

Component notes and harmonic structure (Bbdim7)

Formula: Diminished Seventh (1 - ♭3 - ♭5 - 𝄫7)
Constituent chord intervals:

Bb 1Db ♭3Fb ♭5Abb 𝄫7

Root Bass (Fundamental String)5th String (A) • Fret 1 (Bb)

String Control (Muted & Active)4 / 6 • 2 X Muted

3 Fretboard Positions

Other fretboard positions for Bbdim7:

01

Fret 1

Standard Position
4 / 6 stringsRoot: 5th String (A)
String Control (Muted & Active):
6th String (Low E)
×Muted
Do not play
Root
5th String (A)
Fret 1Finger 1
BbDegree 1
4th String (D)
Fret 2Finger 3
E
3rd String (G)
○Open
G
2nd String (B)
Fret 2Finger 2
DbDegree ♭3
1st String (High E)
×Muted
Do not play

Placement tip: Press: 5th String (A) at fret 1 with your Index finger, 4th String (D) at fret 2 with your Ring finger, 2nd String (B) at fret 2 with your Middle finger. Play open: 3rd String (G). Don't play: 6th String (Low E), 1st String (High E).

02

Root on string 6

Inversion
4 / 6 stringsRoot: 6th String (Low E)
String Control (Muted & Active):
Root
6th String (Low E)
Fret 6Finger 2
BbDegree 1
5th String (A)
×Muted
Do not play
4th String (D)
Fret 5Finger 1
G
3rd String (G)
Fret 6Finger 3
DbDegree ♭3
2nd String (B)
Fret 5Finger 1
E
1st String (High E)
×Muted
Do not play

Placement tip: Press: 6th String (Low E) at fret 6 with your Middle finger, 4th String (D) at fret 5 with your Index finger, 3rd String (G) at fret 6 with your Ring finger, 2nd String (B) at fret 5 with your Index finger. Don't play: 5th String (A), 1st String (High E).

03

Fret 8

Inversion
4 / 6 stringsRoot: 4th String (D)
String Control (Muted & Active):
6th String (Low E)
×Muted
Do not play
5th String (A)
×Muted
Do not play
Root
4th String (D)
Fret 8Finger 1
BbDegree 1
3rd String (G)
Fret 9Finger 3
E
2nd String (B)
Fret 8Finger 2
G
1st String (High E)
Fret 9Finger 4
DbDegree ♭3

Placement tip: Press: 4th String (D) at fret 8 with your Index finger, 3rd String (G) at fret 9 with your Ring finger, 2nd String (B) at fret 8 with your Middle finger, 1st String (High E) at fret 9 with your Pinky finger. Don't play: 6th String (Low E), 5th String (A).

Biomechanics & Posture

Ergonomic tips to play without tension or fatigue (Bbdim7)

Standard Position

The shape in numbers

ItemIn this chord
Frets1 to 2
Fretting fingers3
Open3rd
Muted6th and 1st

What to check

The open 3rd string sits next to a fretting finger.

What every chord shares is in the fingering reading.

Transitions & Pivot Fingers

Most common chord transitions from Bbdim7

Listen: Bbdim7 → Bb · Dm · Eb

  1. Bbdim7
  2. Bb
  3. Bbdim7
  4. Dm
  5. Bbdim7
  6. Eb
Bbdim7 → Bb01
Pivot / Anchor Finger:1 shared position
Stay in place
  • string 5, fret 1
Move
  • string 4, fret 3
  • string 3, fret 3
  • string 2, fret 3
  • string 1, fret 1
Bbdim7 → Dm02
Pivot / Anchor Finger:Full shape change

No finger is shared: place the bass on string 3 first, then the rest of the shape.

Move
  • finger 2: string 3, fret 2
  • finger 3: string 2, fret 3
  • finger 1: string 1, fret 1
Bbdim7 → Eb03
Pivot / Anchor Finger:Full shape change

No finger is shared: place the bass on string 5 first, then the rest of the shape.

Move
  • string 5, fret 6
  • string 4, fret 8
  • string 3, fret 8
  • string 2, fret 8
  • string 1, fret 6

Bbdim7 in every key

This chord type does not belong naturally to a major or minor scale: it is used as colour or passing tension.

Main shape at a glance

Difficulty
2/5
Highest fret
2
Frets the hand covers
2
Barre
No
Strings that ring
4/6
Fretting fingers
3

Bbdim7 on other instruments

PianoThe same notes on the keyboard.All togetherHear guitar, piano, bass and violin together.
Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions about the chord (Bbdim7)

The questions that come up most when playing this chord

Which strings are played and which are muted in the Bbdim7 chord?

To play the Bbdim7 chord on guitar, only 4 strings are played, from string 5 to string 2. Muted strings must be gently dampened with the fleshy side of a fretting finger to prevent dissonance.

What is the root bass note of the Bbdim7 chord and on which string is it located?

The primary bass note of the Bbdim7 chord is its root note: Bb. In standard guitar tuning (EADGBe), this bass note is located on string 5 at fret 1.

When strumming or fingerpicking, strike this string first.

What notes make up the Bbdim7 chord and what is its formula?

The Bbdim7 chord is constructed using the 1 - ♭3 - ♭5 - 𝄫7 formula (Diminished Seventh). Its constituent pitches are Bb, Db, Fb, Abb.

How do you prevent the Bbdim7 chord from buzzing or sounding muted?

To prevent the Bbdim7 chord from buzzing or sounding muted, press the strings using the tips of your fingers at a strict 90-degree hammer angle. Position each finger immediately behind the fret wire with your thumb centered behind the neck.

Study sheet · High resolution

Official Bbdim7 chord diagram

Bbdim7 guitar chord diagram with fingering for fingers 1 to 4
Download HD sheet

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Other chords in the Bb family:

Chord Bb Chord Bbm Chord Bb7 Chord Bbmaj7 Chord Bbm7 Chord Bbaug Chord Bb6 Chord Bbm7b5