F-sharp diminished chord (F#dim)
The F♯ diminished chord (F♯dim) is a diminished triad: F♯, A and C, two minor thirds stacked on top of each other (root, minor third and diminished fifth).
It is the vii° in G major and the vii° in G minor; it sits inside D dominant seventh and tends to resolve to G major, a half step up.
Below: voicings, notes on the fretboard, ukulele, piano, inversions and progressions.
How to play F♯ diminished on guitar
There are 2 guitar voicings.
Frets from the 6th string to the 1st: x = not played, 0 = open string.
- Voicing 1: 2-3-4-2-x-x, barre at fret 2, with F♯ in the bass (fingers 1-2-4-1-x-x).
- Voicing 2: x-9-10-11-10-x, with F♯ in the bass (fingers x-1-2-4-3-x).
Notes of the F♯ diminished chord on the fretboard
F♯ diminished has 3 notes: F♯, A and C. 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) · C (8)
- String 5 (A): A (0) · C (3) · F♯ (9) · A (12)
- String 4 (D): F♯ (4) · A (7) · C (10)
- String 3 (G): A (2) · C (5) · F♯ (11)
- String 2 (B): C (1) · F♯ (7) · A (10)
- String 1 (E): F♯ (2) · A (5) · C (8)
Formula and intervals of F♯ diminished
Its formula is 1-♭3-♭5; in semitones from the root, 0-3-6.
- F♯: Root, the note that gives the chord its name
- A: Minor third (m3), 3 semitones above F♯
- C: Diminished fifth (d5), 6 semitones above F♯
F♯ diminished on ukulele
- Ukulele (G C E A): 2-0-2-0; it sounds A, C, F♯ and A.
F♯ diminished on piano
- Keys: F♯4, A4 and C5.
Inversions of F♯ diminished
Each inversion puts a different note in the bass.
- Root position: F♯, A and C, with F♯ in the bass.
- First inversion (F♯dim/A): A, C and F♯, with A in the bass.
- Second inversion (F♯dim/C): C, F♯ and A, with C in the bass.
Keys that use F♯ diminished
F♯ diminished appears in 3 major and minor keys.
| Key | Degree | Function |
|---|---|---|
| G major (1 sharp) | vii° | Leading tone |
| E minor (1 sharp) | ii° | Supertonic |
| G minor (harmonic minor, 2 flats) | vii° | Leading tone |
Progressions with F♯ diminished
- Passing diminished chord in F major (I–♯i°–ii–V): F – F♯dim – Gm – C
F♯ diminished or G♭ diminished?
F♯ diminished (F♯dim) and G♭ diminished (G♭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 G♭ diminished in flat keys and F♯ diminished in sharp keys.
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the F♯ diminished chord?
F♯, A and C: root, minor third and diminished fifth. Its formula is 1-♭3-♭5.
Which keys use F♯ diminished?
Mainly as the vii° in G major and the vii° in G minor. In total it appears in 3 major and minor keys.
Is G♭ diminished the same chord as F♯ diminished?
Yes: G♭ diminished and F♯ diminished sound the same and are played the same way. It is written G♭ diminished in flat keys and F♯ diminished in sharp keys.
Is F♯ diminished the same as a diminished seventh chord?
No: F♯ diminished is a triad with three notes (F♯, A and C). A diminished seventh chord adds a fourth note, another minor third on top.