D-sharp diminished chord (D#dim)
The D♯ diminished chord (D♯dim) is a diminished triad: D♯, F♯ and A, two minor thirds stacked on top of each other (root, minor third and diminished fifth).
It is the vii° in E major and the vii° in E minor; it sits inside B dominant seventh and tends to resolve to E major, a half step up.
Below: voicings, notes on the fretboard, ukulele, piano, inversions and progressions.
How to play D♯ diminished on guitar
There are 2 guitar voicings.
Frets from the 6th string to the 1st: x = not played, 0 = open string.
- Voicing 1: x-6-7-8-7-x, with D♯ in the bass (fingers x-1-2-4-3-x).
- Voicing 2: 11-12-13-11-x-x, barre at fret 11, with D♯ in the bass (fingers 1-2-4-1-x-x).
Notes of the D♯ diminished chord on the fretboard
D♯ diminished has 3 notes: D♯, F♯ and A. This is where they fall on each string, from the nut to the 12th fret (fret number in parentheses):
- String 6 (E): F♯ (2) · A (5) · D♯ (11)
- String 5 (A): A (0) · D♯ (6) · F♯ (9) · A (12)
- String 4 (D): D♯ (1) · F♯ (4) · A (7)
- String 3 (G): A (2) · D♯ (8) · F♯ (11)
- String 2 (B): D♯ (4) · F♯ (7) · A (10)
- String 1 (E): F♯ (2) · A (5) · D♯ (11)
Formula and intervals of D♯ diminished
Its formula is 1-♭3-♭5; in semitones from the root, 0-3-6.
- D♯: Root, the note that gives the chord its name
- F♯: Minor third (m3), 3 semitones above D♯
- A: Diminished fifth (d5), 6 semitones above D♯
D♯ diminished on ukulele
- Ukulele (G C E A): 2-3-2-0; it sounds A, D♯, F♯ and A.
D♯ diminished on piano
- Keys: D♯4, F♯4 and A4.
Inversions of D♯ diminished
Each inversion puts a different note in the bass.
- Root position: D♯, F♯ and A, with D♯ in the bass.
- First inversion (D♯dim/F♯): F♯, A and D♯, with F♯ in the bass.
- Second inversion (D♯dim/A): A, D♯ and F♯, with A in the bass.
Keys that use D♯ diminished
D♯ diminished appears in 3 major and minor keys.
| Key | Degree | Function |
|---|---|---|
| E major (4 sharps) | vii° | Leading tone |
| C♯ minor (4 sharps) | ii° | Supertonic |
| E minor (harmonic minor, 1 sharp) | vii° | Leading tone |
Progressions with D♯ diminished
- Passing diminished chord in D major (I–♯i°–ii–V): D – D♯dim – Em – A
D♯ diminished or E♭ diminished?
D♯ diminished (D♯dim) and E♭ diminished (E♭dim) are the same chord with two names: they sound the same and use the same frets.
The spelling depends on the key: it is written E♭ diminished in flat keys and D♯ diminished in sharp keys.
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the D♯ diminished chord?
D♯, F♯ and A: root, minor third and diminished fifth. Its formula is 1-♭3-♭5.
Which keys use D♯ diminished?
Mainly as the vii° in E major and the vii° in E minor. In total it appears in 3 major and minor keys.
Is E♭ diminished the same chord as D♯ diminished?
Yes: E♭ diminished and D♯ diminished sound the same and are played the same way. It is written E♭ diminished in flat keys and D♯ diminished in sharp keys.
Is D♯ diminished the same as a diminished seventh chord?
No: D♯ diminished is a triad with three notes (D♯, F♯ and A). A diminished seventh chord adds a fourth note, another minor third on top.