CifraLab

Ddim Guitar Chord

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

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Shape 1/2
Chord shapes:(2 positions)
DdimGuitar fingering diagram for Ddim1234××132STRING6ª×5ª×4ªD3ªG#2ªD1ªF
View HD sheet

What sets Ddim apart

The notes of Ddim are D, F and Ab. D is the root, F the minor third and Ab the flat fifth. Said aloud, its notes are D, F and A flat.

String by string, low to high, it plays D, Ab, D and F. The root, D, shows up twice in the main shape. It runs from D on string 4 up to F on string 1.

In Ddim, only one string rings open, string 4, which gives D. Strings 6 and 5 stay silent. Your hand covers three frets, from 1 to 3. There is one more position, starting at fret 5.

Change only string 3 in Ddim and you have Dm. Ddim and Bb have D and F in common. Moving to D, you keep one finger down.

Ddim belongs to two keys. In Eb major it is the vii° and in C 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 (Ddim)

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

D 1F ♭3Ab ♭5

Root Bass (Fundamental String)4th String (D) • Fret 0 (D)

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

2 Fretboard Positions

Other fretboard positions for Ddim:

01

Triad

Standard Position
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 1
3rd String (G)
Fret 1Finger 1
G#
2nd String (B)
Fret 3Finger 3
DDegree 1
1st String (High E)
Fret 1Finger 2
FDegree ♭3

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

02

Barre 5

Inversion
4 / 6 stringsRoot: 5th String (A)
String Control (Muted & Active):
6th String (Low E)
×Muted
Do not play
Root
5th String (A)
Fret 5Finger 1
DDegree 1
4th String (D)
Fret 6Finger 2
G#
3rd String (G)
Fret 7Finger 4
DDegree 1
2nd String (B)
Fret 6Finger 3
FDegree ♭3
1st String (High E)
×Muted
Do not play

Placement tip: Press: 5th String (A) at fret 5 with your Index finger, 4th String (D) at fret 6 with your Middle finger, 3rd String (G) at fret 7 with your Pinky finger, 2nd String (B) at fret 6 with your Ring finger. Don't play: 6th String (Low E), 1st String (High E).

Biomechanics & Posture

Ergonomic tips to play without tension or fatigue (Ddim)

Standard Position

The shape in numbers

ItemIn this chord
Frets1 to 3
Fretting fingers3
Open4th
Muted6th and 5th

What to check

The open 4th string sits next to a fretting finger.

What every chord shares is in the fingering reading.

Transitions & Pivot Fingers

Most common chord transitions from Ddim

Listen: Ddim → D · Bm · Em

  1. Ddim
  2. D
  3. Ddim
  4. Bm
  5. Ddim
  6. Em
Ddim → D01
Pivot / Anchor Finger:1 finger stays
Stay in place
  • finger 3: string 2, fret 3
Move
  • finger 1: string 3, fret 2
  • finger 2: string 1, fret 2
Ddim → Bm02
Pivot / Anchor Finger:1 shared position
Stay in place
  • string 2, fret 3
Move
  • string 5, fret 2
  • string 4, fret 4
  • string 3, fret 4
  • string 1, fret 2
Ddim → Em03
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 1: string 5, fret 2
  • finger 2: string 4, fret 2

Ddim in every key

Ddim sits in the scale of 2 keys.

Main shape at a glance

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

Major keys

Minor keys

Ddim 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 (Ddim)

The questions that come up most when playing this chord

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

To play the Ddim chord on guitar, only 4 strings are played, from string 4 to string 1. 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 Ddim chord and on which string is it located?

The primary bass note of the Ddim chord is its root note: D. In standard guitar tuning (EADGBe), this bass note is located on string 4 at fret 0.

When strumming or fingerpicking, strike this string first.

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

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

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

To prevent the Ddim 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 Ddim chord diagram

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

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Other chords in the D family:

Chord D Chord Db Chord Dm Chord D7 Chord Db7 Chord Dmaj7 Chord Dbmaj7 Chord Dm7