Gdim Guitar Chord

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

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Shape 1/2

Chord shapes:(2 positions)

View HD sheet

Triad

Arpeggio for this shape

P - m - i - m · Alternating Folk (4/4 · 4 notes · Level 1)

The 1st string is silent. The thumb plays the 6th and the fingers stay on the 3rd and 2nd. All 6 arpeggios

Alternating picking with steady pulse.

Speed:

What sets Gdim apart

The notes of Gdim are G, Bb and Db. G is the root, Bb the minor third and Db the flat fifth. Said aloud, its notes are G, B flat and D flat.

From the low string to the high one you hear G, Db, G and Bb. G rings twice across the four strings, and it is the root. The lowest note is G on string 6 and the highest is Bb on string 3.

Gdim is a closed shape with no open strings. Move it to another fret and the chord changes, but the fingering stays. Strings 2 and 1 are not played. Everything fits between frets 3 and 5. The second shape on this page starts at fret 10.

It shares two notes with Eb, G and Bb.

You will find Gdim in two different keys. In Ab major it is the vii° and in F minor the ii°.

Chord Progressions

Explore recommended harmonic circles on CifraLab:

Recommended practice sequences

01C C - Am - Dm - G7 02G G - Em - Am - D7 03D D - Bm - Em - A7 04A A - F#m - Bm - E7

Music Theory & Formula

Component notes and harmonic structure (Gdim)

Formula: Diminished Triad (1 - ♭3 - ♭5)

Constituent chord intervals:

G 1Bb ♭3Db ♭5

Root Bass (Fundamental String)6th String (Low E) • Fret 3 (G)

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

2 Fretboard Positions

Other fretboard positions for Gdim:

Select each shape in the diagram above to view and listen to it

Triad

Standard Position

4 / 6 stringsRoot: 6th String (Low E)

String Control (Muted & Active):

Root

6th String (Low E)

Fret 3Finger 1

GDegree 1

5th String (A)

Fret 4Finger 2

4th String (D)

Fret 5Finger 4

GDegree 1

3rd String (G)

Fret 3Finger 1

2nd String (B)

×Muted

Do not play

1st String (High E)

×Muted

Do not play

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

Barre 10

Inversion

4 / 6 stringsRoot: 5th String (A)

String Control (Muted & Active):

6th String (Low E)

×Muted

Do not play

Root

5th String (A)

Fret 10Finger 1

GDegree 1

4th String (D)

Fret 11Finger 2

3rd String (G)

Fret 12Finger 4

GDegree 1

2nd String (B)

Fret 11Finger 3

1st String (High E)

×Muted

Do not play

Placement tip: Press: 5th String (A) at fret 10 with your Index finger, 4th String (D) at fret 11 with your Middle finger, 3rd String (G) at fret 12 with your Pinky finger, 2nd String (B) at fret 11 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 (Gdim)

Standard Position

The shape in numbers

Item	In this chord
Frets	3 to 5
Fretting fingers	3
Open	none
Muted	2nd and 1st

What every chord shares is in the fingering reading.

Transitions & Pivot Fingers

Most common chord transitions from Gdim

Listen: Gdim → Em · C · G

Gdim
Em
Gdim
C
Gdim
G

Gdim → Em01

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

Gdim → C02

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

Gdim → G03

Pivot / Anchor Finger:Full shape change

No finger is shared: place the bass on string 6 first, then the rest of the shape.

Move

finger 2: string 6, fret 3
finger 1: string 5, fret 2
finger 3: string 1, fret 3

Gdim in every key

Gdim sits in the scale of 2 keys.

Main shape at a glance

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

Major keys

vii°Ab major

Minor keys

ii°F minor

Gdim 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 (Gdim)

The questions that come up most when playing this chord

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

To play the Gdim chord on guitar, only 4 strings are played, from string 6 to string 3. 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 Gdim chord and on which string is it located?

The primary bass note of the Gdim chord is its root note: G. In standard guitar tuning (EADGBe), this bass note is located on string 6 at fret 3.

When strumming or fingerpicking, strike this string first.

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

The Gdim chord is constructed using the 1 - ♭3 - ♭5 formula (Diminished Triad). Its constituent pitches are G, Bb, Db.

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

To prevent the Gdim 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 Gdim chord diagram

Gdim guitar chord diagram with fingering for fingers 1 to 4

Download HD sheet

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Other chords in the G family:

Chord G Chord Gm Chord G#m Chord G7 Chord Gmaj7 Chord Gm7 Chord Gsus4 Chord Gadd9