Bdim Ukulele Chord
Want to play the Bdim chord on your ukulele? It is a barre shape, which feels awkward at first but is well worth learning. Your fingers go on the g, C, E and A strings. The steps below show exactly where each one sits.
- Notes: B, D and F
- Frets: 4 2 1 2
- Tuning: g C E A
Bdim ukulele chord details
- Type
- Diminished triad
- Also known as
- B diminished
- Formula
- 1 b3 b5
- Intervals
- B (root), D (minor 3rd), F (diminished 5th)
- Notes
- B, D and F
- Frets
- 4 2 1 2
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Tuning
- Standard (g C E A)
How to play the Bdim chord
Here is the Bdim chord step by step:
- Put your little finger on the 4th fret of the g string.
- Put your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the C string.
- Put your index finger on the 1st fret of the E string.
- Put your ring finger on the 2nd fret of the A string.
- Strum all four strings.
It is a bit of a stretch, so go slow and let your hand learn the shape. These quick tips for tricky chords help. New to these grids? Have a look at how to read a ukulele chord diagram.
What notes are in the Bdim chord?
The Bdim chord is built from three notes: B, D and F (the root, minor 3rd and diminished 5th). On the ukulele the B is doubled, so you get a nice full sound. Diminished chords are tense and dark, usually used as a quick passing chord between two others rather than on their own.
Ukulele songs that use the Bdim chord
- Misc CartoonsI’d Rather Be Me (With You) (Steven Universe Future)
- Panic! at the DiscoLying is the Most Fun a Girl Can Have Without Taking Her Clothes Off
- Misc MoviesA Lovely Night
- John LegendEverybody Knows
- MitskiBrand New City
- LovejoyCall Me What You Like
- MGMTLittle Dark Age
- Billie HolidayAll Of Me
- AJRHumpty Dumpty
- Bruno MajorPlaces We Won’t Walk
The Bdim chord belongs to C Major (the vii°) and A Minor (the ii°). Each key page shows the rest of that family, the progressions that use it and songs to play.
Want to go further?
Once Bdim feels comfortable, its close relatives are worth exploring: try B7, Bmaj7, Bm and B. Diminished chords work as passing chords, so you will usually slide Bdim between two others rather than rest on it. Then put it into a strumming pattern. When you are ready, try some easy ukulele songs.