Also written Fdim or F°
F diminished contains F, A♭, and C♭. The 1st-fret shape is a one-finger-per-string stretch that sits low on the neck.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
F diminished is built from the formula 1, ♭3, ♭5. The ♭5 interval gives the chord its tense, unstable quality. Compare F minor, which raises the fifth to C.
F diminished works as a passing chord between F minor and A♭ major, or over an E♭ natural minor line. The ♭5 interval creates a tritone that pulls toward the next chord, suiting jazz walk-ups and metal riffs.
The 1st-fret shape puts F in the bass for a root-position sound. The Fdim/A♭ inversion at the 4th fret places A♭ in the bass, which softens the chord's bite.
F diminished is played at the 1st fret as 1 2 3 1: index finger on the E string at fret 1, ring finger on the A string at fret 2, pinky finger on the D string at fret 3 and middle finger on the G string at fret 1.
Tip — The pinky must reach the 3rd fret on the 2nd string while the middle finger holds the 1st fret on the 1st string.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 1 | 1 | F (1) |
| 3 (A) | 2 | 3 | C♭ (♭5) |
| 2 (D) | 3 | 4 | F (1) |
| 1 (G) | 1 | 2 | A♭ (♭3) |
F diminished is played at the 13th fret as 13 14 15 13: index finger on the E string at fret 13, ring finger on the A string at fret 14, pinky finger on the D string at fret 15 and middle finger on the G string at fret 13.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 13 | 1 | F (1) |
| 3 (A) | 14 | 3 | C♭ (♭5) |
| 2 (D) | 15 | 4 | F (1) |
| 1 (G) | 13 | 2 | A♭ (♭3) |
F diminished is played at the 2nd fret as 4 2 3 4: ring finger on the E string at fret 4, index finger on the A string at fret 2, middle finger on the D string at fret 3 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 4.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 4 | 3 | A♭ (♭3) |
| 3 (A) | 2 | 1 | C♭ (♭5) |
| 2 (D) | 3 | 2 | F (1) |
| 1 (G) | 4 | 4 | C♭ (♭5) |
F diminished is played at the 1st fret as × 2 3 1: middle finger on the A string at fret 2, ring finger on the D string at fret 3 and index finger on the G string at fret 1. The E string stays muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (A) | 2 | 2 | C♭ (♭5) |
| 2 (D) | 3 | 3 | F (1) |
| 1 (G) | 1 | 1 | A♭ (♭3) |
F diminished is played at the 6th fret as 7 8 6 ×: middle finger on the E string at fret 7, ring finger on the A string at fret 8 and index finger on the D string at fret 6. The G string stays muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 7 | 2 | C♭ (♭5) |
| 3 (A) | 8 | 3 | F (1) |
| 2 (D) | 6 | 1 | A♭ (♭3) |
| 1 (G) | muted | — | — |
Write F° or Fdim. The root is F, and the chord is spelled F–A♭–C♭.
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. F diminished lowers the fifth, so it clashes with melodies that expect the perfect fifth C.