CifraLab

Bdim Guitar Chord

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

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Shape 1/2
Chord shapes:(2 positions)
BdimGuitar fingering diagram for Bdim1234×1243×STRING6ª×5ªB4ªF3ªB2ªD1ª×
View HD sheet

What sets Bdim apart

Bdim is built from B, D and F. B is the root, D the minor third and F the flat fifth.

String by string, low to high, it plays B, F, B and D. B rings twice across the four strings, and it is the root. It runs from B on string 5 up to D on string 2.

Bdim uses no barre and no open strings, so you can slide the shape up the neck without changing fingers. Strings 6 and 1 stay silent. Your hand covers three frets, from 2 to 4. There is one more position, starting at fret 1.

Change only string 3 in Bdim and you have Bdim7. Bdim and G have B and D in common. B shares two positions with this shape.

You will find Bdim in two different keys. In C major it is the vii° and in A minor the ii°.

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 (Bdim)

Formula: Diminished Triad (1 - ♭3 - ♭5)
Constituent chord intervals:

B 1D ♭3F ♭5

Root Bass (Fundamental String)5th String (A) • Fret 2 (B)

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

2 Fretboard Positions

Other fretboard positions for Bdim:

01

Triad

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 2Finger 1
BDegree 1
4th String (D)
Fret 3Finger 2
FDegree ♭5
3rd String (G)
Fret 4Finger 4
BDegree 1
2nd String (B)
Fret 3Finger 3
DDegree ♭3
1st String (High E)
×Muted
Do not play

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

02

Root on string 4

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)
○Open
DDegree ♭3
3rd String (G)
Fret 4Finger 4
BDegree 1
2nd String (B)
Fret 3Finger 3
DDegree ♭3
1st String (High E)
Fret 1Finger 1
FDegree ♭5

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

Biomechanics & Posture

Ergonomic tips to play without tension or fatigue (Bdim)

Standard Position

The shape in numbers

ItemIn this chord
Frets2 to 4
Fretting fingers4
Opennone
Muted6th and 1st

What every chord shares is in the fingering reading.

Transitions & Pivot Fingers

Most common chord transitions from Bdim

Listen: Bdim → B · Abm · E

  1. Bdim
  2. B
  3. Bdim
  4. Abm
  5. Bdim
  6. E
Bdim → B01
Pivot / Anchor Finger:2 shared positions
Stay in place
  • string 5, fret 2
  • string 3, fret 4
Move
  • string 4, fret 4
  • string 2, fret 4
  • string 1, fret 2
Bdim → Abm02
Pivot / Anchor Finger:1 shared position
Stay in place
  • string 3, fret 4
Move
  • string 6, fret 4
  • string 5, fret 6
  • string 4, fret 6
  • string 2, fret 4
  • string 1, fret 4
Bdim → E03
Pivot / Anchor Finger:Full shape change

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

Move
  • finger 2: string 5, fret 2
  • finger 3: string 4, fret 2
  • finger 1: string 3, fret 1

Bdim in every key

Bdim sits in the scale of 2 keys.

Main shape at a glance

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

Major keys

Minor keys

Bdim 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 (Bdim)

The questions that come up most when playing this chord

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

To play the Bdim 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 Bdim chord and on which string is it located?

The primary bass note of the Bdim chord is its root note: B. In standard guitar tuning (EADGBe), this bass note is located on string 5 at fret 2.

When strumming or fingerpicking, strike this string first.

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

The Bdim chord is constructed using the 1 - ♭3 - ♭5 formula (Diminished Triad). Its constituent pitches are B, D, F.

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

To prevent the Bdim 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 Bdim chord diagram

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

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Other chords in the B family:

Chord B Chord Bb Chord Bm Chord Bbm Chord B7 Chord Bb7 Chord Bmaj7 Chord Bbmaj7