Explore chords · Ukulele
A diminished 7th chord on ukulele (Adim7)
Also called or written Adim7 or A°7
A diminished 7th is built from A, C, E♭, G♭. This advanced four-fret stretch demands precise finger independence across the middle of the neck.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, ♭5, ♭♭7
- Root positionA–C–E♭–G♭Adim78-9-8-9
- First inversionC–E♭–G♭–AAdim7/C11-12-11-12
- Second inversionE♭–G♭–A–CAdim7/E♭2-3-2-3
- Third inversionG♭–A–C–E♭Adim7/G♭5-6-5-6
How do you play an A diminished 7th chord on ukulele?
A diminished 7th is played at the 2nd fret as 2 3 2 3: index finger on the G string at fret 2, ring finger on the C string at fret 3, middle finger on the E string at fret 2 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 3.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2 | 1 | A (1) |
| 3 (C) | 3 | 3 | E♭ (♭5) |
| 2 (E) | 2 | 2 | G♭ (6) |
| 1 (A) | 3 | 4 | C (♭3) |
AdvancedThe pinky must reach fret 3 on the A string while the ring finger holds fret 3 on the C string, creating a wide stretch.
Adim7/G♭ inversion
A diminished 7th is played at the 5th fret as 5 6 5 6: index finger on the G string at fret 5, ring finger on the C string at fret 6, middle finger on the E string at fret 5 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 6.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5 | 1 | C (♭3) |
| 3 (C) | 6 | 3 | G♭ (6) |
| 2 (E) | 5 | 2 | A (1) |
| 1 (A) | 6 | 4 | E♭ (♭5) |
8th fret
A diminished 7th is played at the 8th fret as 8 9 8 9: index finger on the G string at fret 8, ring finger on the C string at fret 9, middle finger on the E string at fret 8 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 9.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8 | 1 | E♭ (♭5) |
| 3 (C) | 9 | 3 | A (1) |
| 2 (E) | 8 | 2 | C (♭3) |
| 1 (A) | 9 | 4 | G♭ (6) |
Adim7/C inversion
A diminished 7th is played at the 11th fret as 11 12 11 12: index finger on the G string at fret 11, ring finger on the C string at fret 12, middle finger on the E string at fret 11 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 12.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 11 | 1 | G♭ (6) |
| 3 (C) | 12 | 3 | C (♭3) |
| 2 (E) | 11 | 2 | E♭ (♭5) |
| 1 (A) | 12 | 4 | A (1) |
Why it sounds like that
A diminished 7th stacks minor thirds: 1, ♭3, ♭5, ♭♭7. The ♭♭7 is the same pitch as a major sixth, but spelling it as a diminished seventh keeps the chord's symmetry. Compare it with A minor 7th flat 5th, which has a minor seventh instead of a diminished seventh.
What goes wrong with A diminished 7th?
- Letting the index finger collapse and mute the C string.
- Pressing the pinky on the A string fret 3 without enough arch, deadening the E string.
- Strumming before all four fingers are firmly placed.
When to use it
A diminished 7th works as a passing chord between A minor 7th flat 5th and B minor. Its tense, symmetrical sound suits jazz turnarounds and dramatic pauses in ballads.
Changing to and from A diminished 7th
- Sliding the shape down one fret to the 1st fret gives A♭ diminished 7th.
- Sliding the shape up two frets to the 4th fret gives B diminished 7th.
Which voicing to use
The 2nd fret voicing puts A in the bass, giving the most direct root-position sound. The Adim7/C inversion at the 5th fret places C in the bass, which softens the chord's attack and works well when moving to a B chord.
Other A chords
Common questions
How is A diminished 7th written?
A diminished 7th is written A°7 or Adim7. The root is A. The chord is sometimes called A diminished seventh.
How does this supplied chord create its distinctive sound?
Its verified note order explains the sound without relying on outside harmony. Spelling it G♭ keeps the chord's formula as 1, ♭3, ♭5, ♭♭7. Check the exact supplied position before changing register or fingering.
How does A diminished 7th differ from A minor 7th flat 5th?
A minor 7th flat 5th has a minor seventh, G, while A diminished 7th has a diminished seventh, G♭. That one-semitone difference makes the diminished chord sound more tense and symmetrical.
Can I play A diminished 7th with a barre?
No, the 2nd fret voicing uses four separate fingers. A barre would fret the G and E strings at fret 2, but you still need fingers for the C and A strings at fret 3.