Also written Gdim or G°
G diminished contains G, B♭, and D♭. The 3rd-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.
G diminished is built from the formula 1, ♭3, ♭5. The ♭5 interval gives the chord its tense, unstable quality. Compare G minor, which raises the fifth to D.
G diminished works as a passing chord between G minor and B♭ major, or over an F natural minor line. The ♭5 interval creates a tritone that pulls toward the next chord, suiting jazz walk-ups and metal riffs.
The 3rd-fret shape puts G in the bass for a root-position sound. The Gdim/B♭ inversion at the 6th fret places B♭ in the bass, which softens the chord's bite.
G diminished is played at the 3rd fret as 3 4 5 3: index finger on the E string at fret 3, ring finger on the A string at fret 4, pinky finger on the D string at fret 5 and middle finger on the G string at fret 3.
Tip — The pinky must reach the 5th fret on the 2nd string while the middle finger holds the 3rd fret on the 1st string.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 3 | 1 | G (1) |
| 3 (A) | 4 | 3 | D♭ (♭5) |
| 2 (D) | 5 | 4 | G (1) |
| 1 (G) | 3 | 2 | B♭ (♭3) |
G diminished is played at the 4th fret as 6 4 5 6: ring finger on the E string at fret 6, index finger on the A string at fret 4, middle finger on the D string at fret 5 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 6.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 6 | 3 | B♭ (♭3) |
| 3 (A) | 4 | 1 | D♭ (♭5) |
| 2 (D) | 5 | 2 | G (1) |
| 1 (G) | 6 | 4 | D♭ (♭5) |
G diminished is played at the 3rd fret as × 4 5 3: middle finger on the A string at fret 4, ring finger on the D string at fret 5 and index finger on the G string at fret 3. The E string stays muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (A) | 4 | 2 | D♭ (♭5) |
| 2 (D) | 5 | 3 | G (1) |
| 1 (G) | 3 | 1 | B♭ (♭3) |
G diminished is played at the 8th fret as 9 10 8 ×: middle finger on the E string at fret 9, ring finger on the A string at fret 10 and index finger on the D string at fret 8. The G string stays muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 9 | 2 | D♭ (♭5) |
| 3 (A) | 10 | 3 | G (1) |
| 2 (D) | 8 | 1 | B♭ (♭3) |
| 1 (G) | muted | — | — |
Write G° or Gdim. The root is G, and the chord is spelled G–B♭–D♭.
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. G diminished lowers the fifth, so it clashes with melodies that expect the perfect fifth D.