Bdim chord (B diminished) on guitar
Bdim (B diminished) has three notes: B, D and F. Its formula is 1, b3, b5. In major keys, Bdim is the vii° chord in C major.
Bdim chord shapes
Fingers: 2 on A, 4 on G, 3 on B, 1 on e.
Fingers: 1 on A, 2 on D, 4 on G, 3 on B.
Fingers: 2 on A, 1 on e.
Fingers: 4 on D, 2 on G, 1 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 | Bdim |
|---|---|
| Also written | B°, Bo |
| Notes | B D F |
| Formula | 1 b3 b5 |
| Intervals | root, minor third, tritone |
| Type | Diminished chord |
Bdim across the neck
Guitar · 6-string, tuned low to high: E, A, D, G, B, e. 24 frets.
- E string: fret 1 F (flat 5), fret 7 B (1), fret 10 D (flat 3), fret 13 F (flat 5), fret 19 B (1), fret 22 D (flat 3).
- A string: fret 2 B (1), fret 5 D (flat 3), fret 8 F (flat 5), fret 14 B (1), fret 17 D (flat 3), fret 20 F (flat 5).
- D string: fret 0 D (flat 3), fret 3 F (flat 5), fret 9 B (1), fret 12 D (flat 3), fret 15 F (flat 5), fret 21 B (1), fret 24 D (flat 3).
- G string: fret 4 B (1), fret 7 D (flat 3), fret 10 F (flat 5), fret 16 B (1), fret 19 D (flat 3), fret 22 F (flat 5).
- B string: fret 0 B (1), fret 3 D (flat 3), fret 6 F (flat 5), fret 12 B (1), fret 15 D (flat 3), fret 18 F (flat 5), fret 24 B (1).
- e string: fret 1 F (flat 5), fret 7 B (1), fret 10 D (flat 3), fret 13 F (flat 5), fret 19 B (1), fret 22 D (flat 3).
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Questions
What notes are in the Bdim chord?
Bdim (B diminished) has three notes: B, D and F. Its formula is 1, b3, b5. B is the root, D is the minor third and F is the tritone.
How do you play Bdim on guitar?
The easiest shape is x20431. Fingers: 2 on A, 4 on G, 3 on B, 1 on e.
What key is Bdim in?
In major keys, Bdim is the vii° chord in C major. It is diatonic to those keys, so it fits songs in any of them.
What is the difference between Bdim and Bm?
Bdim is Bm with its 5th lowered a half step, from F# to F. That flat 5th is what gives it its tense sound.