The F# diminished / Gb diminished chord (F#dim) is made of the notes F#, A and C. It is built from the root F# 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.
F# diminished
Notes: F# – A – C
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): 2342xx. On piano, the right hand plays 3 notes, in root position or in an inversion.
Notes and intervals
Note
Interval
F#
root
A
minor third
C
diminished fifth
In which keys? The F# diminished chord is the vii° of G major and the ii° of E minor.
The notes of the F# diminished chord (F#dim) are F#, A and C.
How do you play the F# 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): 2342xx.
How is the F# diminished chord built?
The F# diminished / Gb diminished chord (F#dim) is made of the notes F#, A and C. It is built from the root F# with a minor third and a diminished fifth.
Are F# and Gb the same chord?
Yes: F# and Gb are the same note (they are called enharmonic), so F# diminished / Gb diminished is played exactly the same way, with the same fingerings.