Ddim Ukulele Chord
Want to play the Ddim chord on your ukulele? It is a three-finger shape, a little fiddly at first but it settles fast. Your fingers go on the g, C and E strings. The steps below show exactly where each one sits.
- Notes: D, F and Ab
- Frets: 1 2 1 x
- Tuning: g C E A
Ddim ukulele chord details
- Type
- Diminished triad
- Also known as
- D diminished
- Formula
- 1 b3 b5
- Intervals
- D (root), F (minor 3rd), Ab (diminished 5th)
- Notes
- D, F and Ab
- Frets
- 1 2 1 x
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Tuning
- Standard (g C E A)
How to play the Ddim chord
Here is the Ddim chord step by step:
- Put your index finger on the 1st fret of the g string.
- Put your ring finger on the 2nd fret of the C string.
- Put your middle finger on the 1st fret of the E string.
- Do not play the A string.
- Strum the strings you are fretting.
Take it slowly the first few times and it will start to feel natural. New to these grids? Have a look at how to read a ukulele chord diagram.
What notes are in the Ddim chord?
The Ddim chord is built from three notes: D, F and Ab (the root, minor 3rd and diminished 5th). 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 Ddim chord
The Ddim chord belongs to E♭ Major (the vii°) and C 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 Ddim feels comfortable, its close relatives are worth exploring: try D7, Dmaj7, Dm and D. Diminished chords work as passing chords, so you will usually slide Ddim between two others rather than rest on it. Then put it into a strumming pattern. When you are ready, try some easy ukulele songs.