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Eb Diminished Chord

Ebdim stacks two minor thirds: E flat to G flat, then G flat to B double flat. Its lowered fifth creates a tritone above the root and gives the triad a strong need to move.

  • Notes: E flat-G flat-B double flat
  • Symbol: Ebdim
  • viidim in E major
  • Lowered fifth
Switch chordEbdim

How to play an Eb diminished chord

Notes: Eb - Gb - Bbb · symbol Ebdim

  • Root position

    Eb - Gb - Bbb
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-3-5 · Left 5-3-1

  • 1st inversion

    Gb - Bbb - Eb
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-5 · Left 5-3-1

  • 2nd inversion

    Bbb - Eb - Gb
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-3-5 · Left 5-2-1

Where does Eb diminished belong?

In E major, this diminished triad can act as a leading-tone chord that approaches the tonic.
Play the role cards to hear how its surrounding chords change the job it does; Diatonic Chords explains the basic numbered roles.

  • In E majorLeading-tone chord
    vii°

    E flat is the leading tone of E, so the chord leans hard toward it. In this key the chord is spelled D#dim.

    EIAIVD#dimvii°EI
  • In C# minorThe ii° in minor
    ii°

    The minor-key version of ii-V-i, heading to C#m. In this key the chord is spelled D#dim.

    D#dimii°G#VC#mi
  • In E minorMinor-key pull
    vii°

    From harmonic minor: the same chord pulls just as hard toward Em. In this key the chord is spelled D#dim.

    EmiAmivD#dimvii°Emi

Progressions to try

  • EAD#dimE

    Ebdim is a leading-tone triad that resolves by step into the final major tonic. Here the same sounding chord is written D#dim rather than Ebdim.

  • D#dimG#C#m

    In C# minor, Ebdim serves as ii diminished before the dominant and minor tonic. Here the same sounding chord is written D#dim rather than Ebdim.

  • EmAmD#dimEm

    The leading-tone sound also works before a minor tonic; check the chord's spelling in this key. Here the same sounding chord is written D#dim rather than Ebdim.

Which shape should you use?

On guitar, start with x6787x, played at the 6th fret. Mute any strings marked x.

On ukulele, the open shape 2320 is the easiest place to start. The 8656 grip moves the chord to another register.

On piano, play E flat-G flat-B double flat. Move E flat up an octave to reach the first inversion, G flat-B double flat-E flat; the notes remain the same while the lowest voice changes.

What are the inversions?

E flat is the root, G flat the minor third and B double flat the diminished fifth, six semitones above the root.

  • Root position: E flat-G flat-B double flat, with E flat lowest.
  • First inversion: G flat-B double flat-E flat, written Ebdim/Gb if G flat is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Second inversion: B double flat-E flat-G flat, written Ebdim/Bbb if B double flat is lowest in the whole arrangement.

A slash chord names the note in the bass, not merely the lowest note under one hand. Chord Inversions shows how to read that distinction.

How does Ebdim differ from Ebm?

Keep E flat and G flat, then raise the diminished fifth B double flat to B flat. That makes Ebm. This page is about the three-note diminished triad, not a diminished seventh chord. Try that one-note change on piano, then use the comparer to hear it in the full chord. See Ebm for the other chord's full spelling and roles.

  • Ebdim

    Eb - Gb - Bbb
    C4

    Eb diminished

  • Ebm

    Eb - Gb - Bb
    C4

    Eb minor

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