Adim chord (A diminished) on guitar
Adim (A diminished) has three notes: A, C and E flat. Its formula is 1, b3, b5. In major keys, Adim is the vii° chord in Bb major.
Adim chord shapes
Fingers: 1 on D, 3 on G, 2 on B.
Fingers: 4 on D, 2 on G, 1 on B, 3 on e.
Fingers: 3 on D, 1 on G, 4 on B, 2 on e.
Fingers: 1 on D, 2 on G, 4 on B, 3 on e.
Fingers: 3 on E, 1 on A, 4 on G, 2 on B.
Fingers: 4 on E, 2 on A, 1 on G, 3 on B.
Hear it and see every shape in ScaleSpace →
| Symbol | Adim |
|---|---|
| Also written | A°, Ao |
| Notes | A C Eb |
| Formula | 1 b3 b5 |
| Intervals | root, minor third, tritone |
| Type | Diminished chord |
Adim across the neck
Guitar · 6-string, tuned low to high: E, A, D, G, B, e. 24 frets.
- E string: fret 5 A (1), fret 8 C (flat 3), fret 11 Eb (flat 5), fret 17 A (1), fret 20 C (flat 3), fret 23 Eb (flat 5).
- A string: fret 0 A (1), fret 3 C (flat 3), fret 6 Eb (flat 5), fret 12 A (1), fret 15 C (flat 3), fret 18 Eb (flat 5), fret 24 A (1).
- D string: fret 1 Eb (flat 5), fret 7 A (1), fret 10 C (flat 3), fret 13 Eb (flat 5), fret 19 A (1), fret 22 C (flat 3).
- G string: fret 2 A (1), fret 5 C (flat 3), fret 8 Eb (flat 5), fret 14 A (1), fret 17 C (flat 3), fret 20 Eb (flat 5).
- B string: fret 1 C (flat 3), fret 4 Eb (flat 5), fret 10 A (1), fret 13 C (flat 3), fret 16 Eb (flat 5), fret 22 A (1).
- e string: fret 5 A (1), fret 8 C (flat 3), fret 11 Eb (flat 5), fret 17 A (1), fret 20 C (flat 3), fret 23 Eb (flat 5).
Swipe the chart sideways to see all of it.
Questions
What notes are in the Adim chord?
Adim (A diminished) has three notes: A, C and E flat. Its formula is 1, b3, b5. A is the root, C is the minor third and Eb is the tritone.
How do you play Adim on guitar?
The easiest shape is x0121x. Fingers: 1 on D, 3 on G, 2 on B.
What key is Adim in?
In major keys, Adim is the vii° chord in Bb major. It is diatonic to those keys, so it fits songs in any of them.
What is the difference between Adim and Am?
Adim is Am with its 5th lowered a half step, from E to Eb. That flat 5th is what gives it its tense sound.