Also written Edim or E°
E diminished contains E, G, and B♭. The open shape uses two open strings, so it is a beginner-friendly diminished voicing.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
E diminished is built from the formula 1, ♭3, ♭5. The ♭5 interval gives the chord its tense, unstable quality. Compare E minor, which raises the fifth to B.
E diminished works as a passing chord between E minor and G major, or over a D natural minor line. The ♭5 interval creates a tritone that pulls toward the next chord, suiting jazz walk-ups and metal riffs.
The open shape puts E in the bass for a root-position sound. The Edim/G inversion at the 3rd fret places G in the bass, which softens the chord's bite.
E diminished is played in open position as 0 1 2 0: index finger on the A string at fret 1 and middle finger on the D string at fret 2. The E and G strings ring open.
Tip — The index finger must fret the 3rd string cleanly without muting the open 4th string.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | open | — | E (1) |
| 3 (A) | 1 | 1 | B♭ (♭5) |
| 2 (D) | 2 | 2 | E (1) |
| 1 (G) | open | — | G (♭3) |
E diminished is played at the 12th fret as 12 13 14 12: index finger on the E string at fret 12, ring finger on the A string at fret 13, pinky finger on the D string at fret 14 and middle finger on the G string at fret 12.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 12 | 1 | E (1) |
| 3 (A) | 13 | 3 | B♭ (♭5) |
| 2 (D) | 14 | 4 | E (1) |
| 1 (G) | 12 | 2 | G (♭3) |
E diminished is played in open position as 3 1 2 0: ring finger on the E string at fret 3, index finger on the A string at fret 1 and middle finger on the D string at fret 2. The G string rings open.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 3 | 3 | G (♭3) |
| 3 (A) | 1 | 1 | B♭ (♭5) |
| 2 (D) | 2 | 2 | E (1) |
| 1 (G) | open | — | G (♭3) |
E diminished is played at the 1st fret as 3 1 2 3: ring finger on the E string at fret 3, index finger on the A string at fret 1, middle finger on the D string at fret 2 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 3.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 3 | 3 | G (♭3) |
| 3 (A) | 1 | 1 | B♭ (♭5) |
| 2 (D) | 2 | 2 | E (1) |
| 1 (G) | 3 | 4 | B♭ (♭5) |
E diminished is played at the 13th fret as 15 13 14 15: ring finger on the E string at fret 15, index finger on the A string at fret 13, middle finger on the D string at fret 14 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 15.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 15 | 3 | G (♭3) |
| 3 (A) | 13 | 1 | B♭ (♭5) |
| 2 (D) | 14 | 2 | E (1) |
| 1 (G) | 15 | 4 | B♭ (♭5) |
Write E° or Edim. The root is E, and the chord is spelled E–G–B♭.
The ♭5 interval creates a tritone with the root, which wants to resolve. This tension is what gives diminished chords their forward drive.
Only when you want that darker, more dissonant color. E diminished lowers the fifth, so it clashes with melodies that expect the perfect fifth B.