G-sharp diminished chord (G#dim)
The G♯ diminished chord (G♯dim) is a diminished triad: G♯, B and D, two minor thirds stacked on top of each other (root, minor third and diminished fifth).
It is the vii° in A major and the vii° in A minor; it sits inside E dominant seventh and tends to resolve to A major, a half step up.
Below: voicings, notes on the fretboard, ukulele, piano, inversions and progressions.
How to play G♯ diminished on guitar
There are 2 guitar voicings.
Frets from the 6th string to the 1st: x = not played, 0 = open string.
- Voicing 1: 4-5-6-4-x-x, barre at fret 4, with G♯ in the bass (fingers 1-2-4-1-x-x).
- Voicing 2: x-11-12-13-12-x, with G♯ in the bass (fingers x-1-2-4-3-x).
Notes of the G♯ diminished chord on the fretboard
G♯ diminished has 3 notes: G♯, B and D. This is where they fall on each string, from the nut to the 12th fret (fret number in parentheses):
- String 6 (E): G♯ (4) · B (7) · D (10)
- String 5 (A): B (2) · D (5) · G♯ (11)
- String 4 (D): D (0) · G♯ (6) · B (9) · D (12)
- String 3 (G): G♯ (1) · B (4) · D (7)
- String 2 (B): B (0) · D (3) · G♯ (9) · B (12)
- String 1 (E): G♯ (4) · B (7) · D (10)
Formula and intervals of G♯ diminished
Its formula is 1-♭3-♭5; in semitones from the root, 0-3-6.
- G♯: Root, the note that gives the chord its name
- B: Minor third (m3), 3 semitones above G♯
- D: Diminished fifth (d5), 6 semitones above G♯
G♯ diminished on ukulele
- Ukulele (G C E A): 1-2-4-2; it sounds G♯, D, G♯ and B.
G♯ diminished on piano
- Keys: G♯4, B4 and D5.
Inversions of G♯ diminished
Each inversion puts a different note in the bass.
- Root position: G♯, B and D, with G♯ in the bass.
- First inversion (G♯dim/B): B, D and G♯, with B in the bass.
- Second inversion (G♯dim/D): D, G♯ and B, with D in the bass.
Keys that use G♯ diminished
G♯ diminished appears in 3 major and minor keys.
| Key | Degree | Function |
|---|---|---|
| A major (3 sharps) | vii° | Leading tone |
| F♯ minor (3 sharps) | ii° | Supertonic |
| A minor (harmonic minor, no sharps or flats) | vii° | Leading tone |
Progressions with G♯ diminished
- Passing diminished chord in G major (I–♯i°–ii–V): G – G♯dim – Am – D
G♯ diminished or A♭ diminished?
G♯ diminished (G♯dim) and A♭ diminished (A♭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 A♭ diminished in flat keys and G♯ diminished in sharp keys.
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the G♯ diminished chord?
G♯, B and D: root, minor third and diminished fifth. Its formula is 1-♭3-♭5.
Which keys use G♯ diminished?
Mainly as the vii° in A major and the vii° in A minor. In total it appears in 3 major and minor keys.
Is A♭ diminished the same chord as G♯ diminished?
Yes: A♭ diminished and G♯ diminished sound the same and are played the same way. It is written A♭ diminished in flat keys and G♯ diminished in sharp keys.
Is G♯ diminished the same as a diminished seventh chord?
No: G♯ diminished is a triad with three notes (G♯, B and D). A diminished seventh chord adds a fourth note, another minor third on top.