Tools / Chords / G diminished

G diminished chord on ukulele (Gdim)

Also written Gdim or G°

Ukulele · Gdim/D♭ inversion · 0-1-3-1

G diminished contains G, B♭, and D♭. The open G string under a two-fret stretch gives this shape a quick, easy start.

Gdim/D♭ inversion · 0-1-3-10-1-3-1

Positions on the neck1 of 5

How it’s built

G1Root

B♭♭3Minor 3rd

D♭♭5Diminished 5th

Formula 1, ♭3, ♭5

Positions on the neck1 of 5

Inversions

The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.

Root positionG–B♭–D♭GdimBass G

First inversionB♭–D♭–GGdim/B♭Bass B♭

Second inversionD♭–G–B♭Gdim/D♭Bass D♭

Why it sounds like that

G diminished is built from a root, a minor 3rd, and a diminished 5th. The diminished 5th between G and D♭ creates the chord's tense, unstable quality. Compare it to G minor, which raises the 5th to D natural.

What goes wrong with G diminished?

Letting the middle finger touch the open G string, which deadens the chord.
Pressing the C string at the 1st fret so hard that the note goes sharp.

When to use it

G diminished often substitutes for G minor in progressions like G–C–D, the I–IV–V in G major, to add tension before resolution. It suits jazz, blues, and dramatic pauses in folk or rock. Use it to lead into G minor or B♭ major.

Changing to and from G diminished

Move to <a href="/ukulele/g-minor-chord">G minor</a> by lifting the ring finger from the E string and placing it on the 3rd fret of the G string, while keeping the index and middle fingers in place.

Which voicing to use

The default voicing puts D♭ in the bass, giving a darker, more unstable sound. For a root-position feel, use the 6-7-6-4 shape with G in the bass, but it sits higher on the neck. The 3-1-3-1 voicing also puts D♭ in the bass but uses a fretted G string for a fuller sound.

How do you play a G diminished chord on ukulele?

Gdim/D♭ inversion · 0-1-3-1

Beginner● On the diagram

G diminished is played in open position as 0 1 3 1: index finger on the C string at fret 1, ring finger on the E string at fret 3 and middle finger on the A string at fret 1. The G string rings open.

Tip — The ring finger must reach the 3rd fret on the E string while the index and middle fingers stay at the 1st fret without muting the open G string.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (G)	open	—	G (1)
3 (C)	1	1	D♭ (♭5)
2 (E)	3	3	G (1)
1 (A)	1	2	B♭ (♭3)

Gdim/D♭ inversion · 3-1-3-1

Intermediate

G diminished is played at the 1st fret as 3 1 3 1: ring finger on the G string at fret 3, index finger on the C string at fret 1, pinky finger on the E string at fret 3 and middle finger on the A string at fret 1.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (G)	3	3	B♭ (♭3)
3 (C)	1	1	D♭ (♭5)
2 (E)	3	4	G (1)
1 (A)	1	2	B♭ (♭3)

4th fret

Intermediate

G diminished is played at the 4th fret as 6 7 6 4: middle finger on the G string at fret 6, pinky finger on the C string at fret 7, ring finger on the E string at fret 6 and index finger on the A string at fret 4.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (G)	6	2	D♭ (♭5)
3 (C)	7	4	G (1)
2 (E)	6	3	B♭ (♭3)
1 (A)	4	1	D♭ (♭5)

6th fret

Intermediate

G diminished is played at the 6th fret as 6 7 6 ×: index finger on the G string at fret 6, ring finger on the C string at fret 7 and middle finger on the E string at fret 6. The A string stays muted.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (G)	6	1	D♭ (♭5)
3 (C)	7	3	G (1)
2 (E)	6	2	B♭ (♭3)
1 (A)	muted	—	—

Gdim/D♭ inversion · 3-1-3-4

Intermediate

G diminished is played at the 1st fret as 3 1 3 4: middle finger on the G string at fret 3, index finger on the C string at fret 1, ring finger on the E string at fret 3 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 4.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (G)	3	2	B♭ (♭3)
3 (C)	1	1	D♭ (♭5)
2 (E)	3	3	G (1)
1 (A)	4	4	D♭ (♭5)

Common questions

How is G diminished written?

G diminished is written as G° or Gdim.

What is the difference between G diminished and G minor?

G diminished lowers the 5th from D to D♭, creating a diminished 5th interval. G minor has a perfect 5th, giving it a more stable, consonant sound.

Can I play G diminished higher up the neck?

Yes, the shape at 6-7-6-4 puts G in the bass and works well for brighter passages. The 3-1-3-1 voicing uses D♭ in the bass for a different inversion.

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (G)

open

—

G (1)

3 (C)

D♭ (♭5)

2 (E)

G (1)

1 (A)

B♭ (♭3)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (G)

B♭ (♭3)

3 (C)

D♭ (♭5)

2 (E)

G (1)

1 (A)

B♭ (♭3)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (G)

D♭ (♭5)

3 (C)

G (1)

2 (E)

B♭ (♭3)

1 (A)

D♭ (♭5)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (G)

D♭ (♭5)

3 (C)

G (1)

2 (E)

B♭ (♭3)

1 (A)

muted

—

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (G)

B♭ (♭3)

3 (C)

D♭ (♭5)

2 (E)

G (1)

1 (A)

D♭ (♭5)