E diminished chord (Edim)
The E diminished chord (Edim) is a diminished triad: E, G and B♭, two minor thirds stacked on top of each other (root, minor third and diminished fifth).
It is the vii° in F major and the vii° in F minor; it sits inside C dominant seventh and tends to resolve to F major, a half step up.
Below: voicings, notes on the fretboard, ukulele, piano, inversions and progressions.
How to play E diminished on guitar
There are 3 guitar voicings.
Frets from the 6th string to the 1st: x = not played, 0 = open string.
- Voicing 1: x-x-2-3-5-3, with E in the bass (fingers x-x-1-2-4-3).
- Voicing 2: 12-13-14-12-x-x, barre at fret 12, with E in the bass (fingers 1-2-4-1-x-x).
- Voicing 3: x-7-8-9-8-x, with E in the bass (fingers x-1-2-4-3-x).
Notes of the E diminished chord on the fretboard
E diminished has 3 notes: E, G and B♭. This is where they fall on each string, from the nut to the 12th fret (fret number in parentheses):
- String 6 (E): E (0) · G (3) · B♭ (6) · E (12)
- String 5 (A): B♭ (1) · E (7) · G (10)
- String 4 (D): E (2) · G (5) · B♭ (8)
- String 3 (G): G (0) · B♭ (3) · E (9) · G (12)
- String 2 (B): E (5) · G (8) · B♭ (11)
- String 1 (E): E (0) · G (3) · B♭ (6) · E (12)
Formula and intervals of E diminished
Its formula is 1-♭3-♭5; in semitones from the root, 0-3-6.
- E: Root, the note that gives the chord its name
- G: Minor third (m3), 3 semitones above E
- B♭: Diminished fifth (d5), 6 semitones above E
E diminished on ukulele
- Ukulele (G C E A): 0-4-0-1; it sounds G, E, E and B♭.
E diminished on piano
- Keys: E4, G4 and B♭4.
Inversions of E diminished
Each inversion puts a different note in the bass.
- Root position: E, G and B♭, with E in the bass.
- First inversion (Edim/G): G, B♭ and E, with G in the bass.
- Second inversion (Edim/B♭): B♭, E and G, with B♭ in the bass.
Keys that use E diminished
E diminished appears in 3 major and minor keys.
| Key | Degree | Function |
|---|---|---|
| F major (1 flat) | vii° | Leading tone |
| D minor (1 flat) | ii° | Supertonic |
| F minor (harmonic minor, 4 flats) | vii° | Leading tone |
Progressions with E diminished
- Passing diminished chord in E♭ major (I–♯i°–ii–V): E♭ – Edim – Fm – B♭
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the E diminished chord?
E, G and B♭: root, minor third and diminished fifth. Its formula is 1-♭3-♭5.
Which keys use E diminished?
Mainly as the vii° in F major and the vii° in F minor. In total it appears in 3 major and minor keys.
Is E diminished the same as a diminished seventh chord?
No: E diminished is a triad with three notes (E, G and B♭). A diminished seventh chord adds a fourth note, another minor third on top.
Why does E diminished sound like C dominant seventh?
Because its three notes, E, G and B♭, are the third, fifth and seventh of C dominant seventh: it is that dominant seventh without its root. So it does the same job and resolves to F major.