Gdim Ukulele Chord
Need the Gdim chord for a song? It is a three-finger shape, a little fiddly at first but it settles fast. Your fingers go on the C, E and A strings. The steps below show exactly where each one sits.
- Notes: G, Bb and Db
- Frets: 0 1 3 1
- Tuning: g C E A
Gdim ukulele chord details
- Type
- Diminished triad
- Also known as
- G diminished
- Formula
- 1 b3 b5
- Intervals
- G (root), Bb (minor 3rd), Db (diminished 5th)
- Notes
- G, Bb and Db
- Frets
- 0 1 3 1
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Tuning
- Standard (g C E A)
How to play the Gdim chord
Here is the Gdim chord step by step:
- Put your index finger on the 1st fret of the C string.
- Put your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the E string.
- Put your middle finger on the 1st fret of the A string.
- Leave the g string open.
- Strum all four strings.
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 Gdim chord?
The Gdim chord is built from three notes: G, Bb and Db (the root, minor 3rd and diminished 5th). On the ukulele the G 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 Gdim chord
The Gdim chord belongs to A♭ Major (the vii°) and F 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 Gdim feels comfortable, its close relatives are worth exploring: try G7, Gmaj7, Gm and G. Diminished chords work as passing chords, so you will usually slide Gdim between two others rather than rest on it. Then put it into a strumming pattern. When you are ready, try some easy ukulele songs.