Also written F♯dim or F♯°
F♯ diminished contains F♯, A, and C. The default voicing at the 2nd fret uses two fretted notes and two open strings, making it one of the easiest diminished shapes on ukulele.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
F♯ diminished is built from the formula 1, ♭3, ♭5, stacking two minor 3rds: F♯ to A and A to C. The diminished 5th between F♯ and C gives the chord its tense, unstable quality. Compare it with F♯ minor, which raises the ♭5 to a perfect 5th.
F♯ diminished fits F♯ minor and F♯ 5th chords, often as a passing chord between them. It also works with A major, A minor, and A 5th, adding tension before resolving. Use it in jazz, classical, and dramatic transitions where a dark, unstable sound is needed.
The default position at the 2nd fret puts C in the bass, giving a first-inversion sound. The 3rd fret position puts F♯ in the bass, giving a root-position voicing. The 11th fret position puts C in the bass again but in a higher register, brightening the chord.
F♯ diminished is played in open position as 2 0 2 0: index finger on the G string at fret 2 and middle finger on the E string at fret 2. The C and A strings ring open.
Tip — F♯ diminished is easy, but the open C string must ring clearly while the index and middle fingers hold fret 2 without touching it.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2 | 1 | A (♭3) |
| 3 (C) | open | — | C (♭5) |
| 2 (E) | 2 | 2 | F♯ (1) |
| 1 (A) | open | — | A (♭3) |
F♯ diminished is played at the 3rd fret as 5 6 5 3: middle finger on the G string at fret 5, pinky finger on the C string at fret 6, ring finger on the E string at fret 5 and index finger on the A string at fret 3.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5 | 2 | C (♭5) |
| 3 (C) | 6 | 4 | F♯ (1) |
| 2 (E) | 5 | 3 | A (♭3) |
| 1 (A) | 3 | 1 | C (♭5) |
F♯ diminished is played at the 5th fret as 5 6 5 ×: index finger on the G string at fret 5, ring finger on the C string at fret 6 and middle finger on the E string at fret 5. The A string stays muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5 | 1 | C (♭5) |
| 3 (C) | 6 | 3 | F♯ (1) |
| 2 (E) | 5 | 2 | A (♭3) |
| 1 (A) | muted | — | — |
F♯ diminished is played at the 11th fret as 11 12 × 12: index finger on the G string at fret 11, middle finger on the C string at fret 12 and ring finger on the A string at fret 12. The E string stays muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 11 | 1 | F♯ (1) |
| 3 (C) | 12 | 2 | C (♭5) |
| 2 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 1 (A) | 12 | 3 | A (♭3) |
F♯ diminished is played in open position as 2 0 2 3: index finger on the G string at fret 2, middle finger on the E string at fret 2 and ring finger on the A string at fret 3. The C string rings open.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2 | 1 | A (♭3) |
| 3 (C) | open | — | C (♭5) |
| 2 (E) | 2 | 2 | F♯ (1) |
| 1 (A) | 3 | 3 | C (♭5) |
F♯ diminished is written as F♯° or F♯dim. The ASCII root is F#, so you may see F#dim. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
F♯ diminished contains a diminished 5th, a tritone between F♯ and C. That interval creates strong tension that wants to resolve.
F♯ diminished has C as its 5th, while F♯ minor has C♯. Lowering the 5th by a semitone changes the chord from sad to unstable.