E diminished chord
The E diminished chord, written Edim, has 3 notes: E, G and B♭. They are the root, minor third and diminished fifth above E (chord formula 1 ♭3 ♭5).
- NotesE G B♭
- Chord symbolEdim, E°
- Formula1 ♭3 ♭5
- Half steps3 + 3
Edim chord on the piano
Play E, G and B♭ together. In root position E is at the bottom; the next note is 3 half steps higher, and the one after that 3 half steps above it. Press Play to hear the notes one at a time and then together.
Edim chord on the staff, with inversions
An inversion keeps the same notes but puts a different one at the bottom. The chord symbol after a slash names the bass note.
| Position | Notes, bottom to top | Symbol |
|---|---|---|
| Root position | E G B♭ | Edim |
| First inversion | G B♭ E | Edim/G |
| Second inversion | B♭ E G | Edim/B♭ |
Edim chord on guitar
Each diagram shows the six strings from the low E on the left to the high E on the right. A dot is a fretted note, o is an open string, × is a string you do not play, and a bar across the strings is a barre held with one finger.
What is a diminished chord?
A diminished chord is a three-note chord made of a root, a minor third (3 half steps above the root) and a diminished fifth (6 half steps above the root). It is two minor thirds stacked on top of each other.
Tense, tight and unstable. The chord does not feel at rest, and it seems to lean toward the next chord. It is often described as mysterious or suspenseful.
Where you hear diminished chords
In a major key, it is the vii chord, and in a minor key the ii chord. Composers use it as a passing chord between two other chords and as a way to build tension before a resolution. It is also common in film music and jazz.
Tip: Take a minor chord and lower the fifth by one half step. Then resolve it up by step to a major or minor chord to hear the tension settle.
Ways this chord type is written (shown for C): Cdim, C°, Cmin♭5, Cm♭5.
Which keys have the Edim chord?
Edim is built only from notes of these keys, so it appears in them naturally. The Roman numeral is its place in the key.
Check yourself
1. Which note is the third of the Edim chord?
Answer: G. Edim is built root, third, fifth: E, G and B♭. The second note, G, is the third.
2. What is the bass note of Edim/G?
Answer: G. A slash chord names its bass note after the slash. Edim/G is the first inversion, with G at the bottom.
3. How many half steps are there from E up to G in this chord?
Answer: 3. E to G is a minor third, which is 3 half steps.
Other E chords
Diminished chords in every key
See also: piano chord chart, diminished chords explained, chord inversions, chord progressions.