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E diminished chord on bass (Edim)
Also called or 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.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, ♭5
How do you play an E diminished chord on bass?
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.
Full note and interval breakdown
| 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) |
BeginnerThe index finger must fret the 3rd string cleanly without muting the open 4th string.
12th fret
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.
Full note and interval breakdown
| 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) |
Edim/G inversion · 3-1-2-0
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.
Full note and interval breakdown
| 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) |
Edim/G inversion · 3-1-2-3
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.
Full note and interval breakdown
| 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) |
Edim/G inversion · 15-13-14-15
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.
Full note and interval breakdown
| 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) |
Why it sounds like that
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.
What goes wrong with E diminished?
- Letting the index finger touch the 4th string mutes the open E.
- Pressing the middle finger too flat on the 2nd string buzzes against the fret.
- Allowing the open 1st string to ring too loudly overpowers the chord.
When to use it
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.
Changing to and from E diminished
- Move to E minor by raising the 2nd string one fret to the 3rd fret.
Which voicing to use
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.
Other E chords
Common questions
How do I write E diminished?
Write E° or Edim. The root is E, and the chord is spelled E–G–B♭.
Why does E diminished sound unstable?
The ♭5 interval creates a tritone with the root, which wants to resolve. This tension is what gives diminished chords their forward drive.
Can I use E diminished in place of E minor?
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.