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A diminished chord on guitar (Adim)
Also called or written Adim or A°
A diminished contains the notes A, C, and E♭. The open shape keeps the bass on A and leaves the two E strings muted.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, ♭5
- Root positionA–C–E♭Adim×-0-1-2-1-×
- First inversionC–E♭–AAdim/C×-3-1-2-1-×
- Second inversionE♭–A–CAdim/E♭×-×-1-2-1-×
How do you play an A diminished chord on guitar?
A diminished is played in open position as × 0 1 2 1 ×: index finger on the D string at fret 1, ring finger on the G string at fret 2 and middle finger on the B string at fret 1. The A string rings open. The low E and high e strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | open | — | A (1) |
| 4 (D) | 1 | 1 | E♭ (♭5) |
| 3 (G) | 2 | 3 | A (1) |
| 2 (B) | 1 | 2 | C (♭3) |
| 1 (e) | muted | — | — |
BeginnerThe open shape is beginner-friendly, but the two muted E strings require careful right-hand control to avoid accidental strums.
5th fret
A diminished is played at the 5th fret as 5 6 7 5 × ×: index finger on the low E string at fret 5, ring finger on the A string at fret 6, pinky finger on the D string at fret 7 and middle finger on the G string at fret 5. The B and high e strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 5 | 1 | A (1) |
| 5 (A) | 6 | 3 | E♭ (♭5) |
| 4 (D) | 7 | 4 | A (1) |
| 3 (G) | 5 | 2 | C (♭3) |
| 2 (B) | muted | — | — |
| 1 (e) | muted | — | — |
12th fret
A diminished is played at the 12th fret as × 12 13 14 13 ×: index finger on the A string at fret 12, middle finger on the D string at fret 13, pinky finger on the G string at fret 14 and ring finger on the B string at fret 13. The low E and high e strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | 12 | 1 | A (1) |
| 4 (D) | 13 | 2 | E♭ (♭5) |
| 3 (G) | 14 | 4 | A (1) |
| 2 (B) | 13 | 3 | C (♭3) |
| 1 (e) | muted | — | — |
Adim/C inversion · fret 1
A diminished is played at the 1st fret as × 3 1 2 1 ×: pinky finger on the A string at fret 3, index finger on the D string at fret 1, ring finger on the G string at fret 2 and middle finger on the B string at fret 1. The low E and high e strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | 3 | 4 | C (♭3) |
| 4 (D) | 1 | 1 | E♭ (♭5) |
| 3 (G) | 2 | 3 | A (1) |
| 2 (B) | 1 | 2 | C (♭3) |
| 1 (e) | muted | — | — |
Adim/C inversion · fret 6
A diminished is played at the 6th fret as 8 6 7 8 × ×: ring finger on the low E string at fret 8, index finger on the A string at fret 6, middle finger on the D string at fret 7 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 8. The B and high e strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 8 | 3 | C (♭3) |
| 5 (A) | 6 | 1 | E♭ (♭5) |
| 4 (D) | 7 | 2 | A (1) |
| 3 (G) | 8 | 4 | E♭ (♭5) |
| 2 (B) | muted | — | — |
| 1 (e) | muted | — | — |
Why it sounds like that
A diminished is built from the formula 1, ♭3, ♭5, giving A, C, and E♭. The flattened fifth creates the chord's tense, unstable quality. Compare it to A minor, which raises the fifth to E.
What goes wrong with A diminished?
- Letting the low E string ring out, which adds an E that is not part of A diminished.
- Flattening the middle finger onto the G string, causing the 2nd fret note to buzz.
- Strumming the high E string, which introduces an outside note.
When to use it
A diminished functions as the vii° chord in B♭ major, leading to B♭ major. It also works as a passing chord between A minor and B♭ major. Use it in blues or jazz for a tense, unresolved color.
Changing to and from A diminished
- Move to A minor by lifting the ring finger from the G string's 2nd fret, leaving the 1st fret notes and open A string in place.
Which voicing to use
The open position is the easiest and keeps the root A in the bass. The 5th fret and 12th fret shapes repeat the same voicing an octave higher. The Adim/C inversions place C in the bass, softening the root emphasis.
Other A chords
Common questions
What is the difference between A diminished and A minor?
A diminished has a flattened fifth (E♭), while A minor has a perfect fifth (E). The diminished fifth creates a more dissonant, unstable sound.
Can I play A diminished as a barre chord?
The open shape uses no barre, but the 5th fret and 12th fret shapes are movable. Slide the 5th fret shape down two frets to get G diminished.
Why are the two E strings muted in the open shape?
The open E strings are not chord tones of A diminished. Muting them keeps the voicing clean and prevents an unwanted major second clash.
How is A diminished written?
A diminished is written as A° or Adim. The root is A, and the symbols are A° and Adim.