The Ab diminished / G# diminished chord (Abdim) is made of the notes Ab, Cb and D. It is built from the root Ab with a minor third and a diminished fifth.
The diminished chord is unstable and tense: it is mostly used as a passing chord between two other chords.
Ab diminished
Notes: Ab – Cb – D
Guitar — positions on the neck
Piano — root position and inversions
Fingerings and positions
On guitar, this chord can be played in 3 ways along the neck. It is most often played with a barre. Example fingering (from the low E string to the high E string, x = muted string): 4564xx. On piano, the right hand plays 3 notes, in root position or in an inversion.
Notes and intervals
Note
Interval
Ab
root
Cb
minor third
D
diminished fifth
In which keys? The Ab diminished chord is the vii° of A major and the ii° of F# minor.
The notes of the Ab diminished chord (Abdim) are Ab, Cb and D.
How do you play the Ab diminished chord on guitar?
On guitar, this chord can be played in 3 ways along the neck. It is most often played with a barre. Example fingering (from the low E string to the high E string, x = muted string): 4564xx.
How is the Ab diminished chord built?
The Ab diminished / G# diminished chord (Abdim) is made of the notes Ab, Cb and D. It is built from the root Ab with a minor third and a diminished fifth.
Are Ab and G# the same chord?
Yes: Ab and G# are the same note (they are called enharmonic), so Ab diminished / G# diminished is played exactly the same way, with the same fingerings.