Eb diminished chord (Ebdim) on guitar and piano

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Eb diminished
The Eb diminished / D# diminished chord (Ebdim) is made of the notes Eb, Gb and A. It is built from the root Eb 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.

Eb diminished

Notes: Eb – Gb – A
Guitar — positions on the neck
Ebdim××1243Ebdim××61243Ebdim××111231
Piano — root position and inversions
EbdimC135Eb Gb AEbdimC125Gb A EbEbdimC135A Eb Gb

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): xx1242. On piano, the right hand plays 3 notes, in root position or in an inversion.

Notes and intervals

Note
Interval
Eb
root
Gb
minor third
A
diminished fifth
In which keys? The Eb diminished chord is the vii° of E major and the ii° of C# minor.

Neighbouring chords

Try it in the app

Hear the chords, play them as a progression, switch instrument, note names (Do Ré Mi or C D E) and theme:

Frequently asked questions

What are the notes of the Eb diminished chord?

The notes of the Eb diminished chord (Ebdim) are Eb, Gb and A.

How do you play the Eb 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): xx1242.

How is the Eb diminished chord built?

The Eb diminished / D# diminished chord (Ebdim) is made of the notes Eb, Gb and A. It is built from the root Eb with a minor third and a diminished fifth.

Are Eb and D# the same chord?

Yes: Eb and D# are the same note (they are called enharmonic), so Eb diminished / D# diminished is played exactly the same way, with the same fingerings.