The D diminished chord (Ddim) is made of the notes D, F and Ab. It is built from the root D 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.
D diminished
Notes: D – F – Ab
Guitar — positions on the neck
Piano — root position and inversions
Fingerings and positions
On guitar, this chord can be played in 4 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): xx0131. On piano, the right hand plays 3 notes, in root position or in an inversion.
Notes and intervals
Note
Interval
D
root
F
minor third
Ab
diminished fifth
In which keys? The D diminished chord is the vii° of Eb major and the ii° of C minor.
The notes of the D diminished chord (Ddim) are D, F and Ab.
How do you play the D diminished chord on guitar?
On guitar, this chord can be played in 4 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): xx0131.
How is the D diminished chord built?
The D diminished chord (Ddim) is made of the notes D, F and Ab. It is built from the root D with a minor third and a diminished fifth.