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G Diminished Chord

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

  • Notes: G-B flat-D flat
  • Symbol: Gdim
  • viidim in Ab major
  • Lowered fifth
Switch chordGdim

How to play a G diminished chord

Notes: G - Bb - Db · symbol Gdim

  • Root position

    G - Bb - Db
    C4
    Right hand 1-3-5 · Left 5-3-1

  • 1st inversion

    Bb - Db - G
    C4
    Right hand 1-2-5 · Left 5-3-1

  • 2nd inversion

    Db - G - Bb
    C4
    Right hand 1-3-5 · Left 5-2-1

Where does G diminished belong?

In Ab 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 Ab majorLeading-tone chord
    vii°

    G is the leading tone of Ab, so the chord leans hard toward it.

    AbIDbIVGdimvii°AbI
  • In F minorThe ii° in minor
    ii°

    The minor-key version of ii-V-i, heading to Fm.

    Gdimii°CVFmi
  • In Ab minorMinor-key pull
    vii°

    From harmonic minor: the same chord pulls just as hard toward Abm.

    AbmiDbmivGdimvii°Abmi

Progressions to try

  • AbDbGdimAb

    Gdim is a leading-tone triad that resolves by step into the final major tonic.

  • GdimCFm

    In F minor, Gdim serves as ii diminished before the dominant and minor tonic.

  • AbmDbmGdimAbm

    The leading-tone sound also works before a minor tonic; check the chord's spelling in this key.

Which shape should you use?

On guitar, start with 3453xx, played at the 3rd fret. Mute any strings marked x.

On ukulele, the open shape 0131 is the easiest place to start. The 6764 grip moves the chord to another register.

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

What are the inversions?

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

  • Root position: G-B flat-D flat, with G lowest.
  • First inversion: B flat-D flat-G, written Gdim/Bb if B flat is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Second inversion: D flat-G-B flat, written Gdim/Db if D 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 Gdim differ from Gm?

Keep G and B flat, then raise the diminished fifth D flat to D. That makes Gm. 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 Gm for the other chord's full spelling and roles.

  • Gdim

    G - Bb - Db
    C4

    G diminished

  • Gm

    G - Bb - D
    C4

    G minor

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