Also written B♭dim or B♭°
B♭ diminished contains B♭, D♭, and F♭. This four-string shape spans frets 6–8 and suits intermediate players.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
B♭ diminished is built from the 1, ♭3, ♭5 formula. The diminished 5th between B♭ and F♭ creates its tense, unstable quality. Compare it to B♭ minor, which raises the fifth to F.
B♭ diminished works over B♭ minor and B♭ 5th chords. It also fits C♯ major and C♯ minor progressions. Use it for tense passing lines in jazz or metal.
The 6th fret position puts B♭ in the bass for a root-position sound. The B♭dim/C♯ inversion starts on D♭ at the 7th fret, giving a darker, less stable feel.
B♭ diminished is played at the 6th fret as 6 7 8 6: index finger on the E string at fret 6, ring finger on the A string at fret 7, pinky finger on the D string at fret 8 and middle finger on the G string at fret 6.
Tip — The pinky must reach the 8th fret on the D string while the middle finger holds the G string at the 6th fret.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 6 | 1 | B♭ (1) |
| 3 (A) | 7 | 3 | F♭ (♭5) |
| 2 (D) | 8 | 4 | B♭ (1) |
| 1 (G) | 6 | 2 | D♭ (♭3) |
B♭ diminished is played at the 7th fret as 9 7 8 9: ring finger on the E string at fret 9, index finger on the A string at fret 7, middle finger on the D string at fret 8 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 9.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 9 | 3 | D♭ (♭3) |
| 3 (A) | 7 | 1 | F♭ (♭5) |
| 2 (D) | 8 | 2 | B♭ (1) |
| 1 (G) | 9 | 4 | F♭ (♭5) |
B♭ diminished is played at the 6th fret as × 7 8 6: middle finger on the A string at fret 7, ring finger on the D string at fret 8 and index finger on the G string at fret 6. The E string stays muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (A) | 7 | 2 | F♭ (♭5) |
| 2 (D) | 8 | 3 | B♭ (1) |
| 1 (G) | 6 | 1 | D♭ (♭3) |
B♭ diminished is played at the 11th fret as 12 13 11 ×: middle finger on the E string at fret 12, ring finger on the A string at fret 13 and index finger on the D string at fret 11. The G string stays muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 12 | 2 | F♭ (♭5) |
| 3 (A) | 13 | 3 | B♭ (1) |
| 2 (D) | 11 | 1 | D♭ (♭3) |
| 1 (G) | muted | — | — |
B♭ diminished is written B♭° or B♭dim. The root is typed as Bb in ASCII. It is also spelled A♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
B♭ diminished has a diminished 5th (F♭), while B♭ minor has a perfect 5th (F). The lowered fifth gives the diminished chord its tense sound.
Yes, the B♭dim/E inversion at the 6th fret on the G string uses only three strings, starting on F♭. It omits the low E string for a lighter texture.