Piano chord

G Diminished Piano Chord (Gdim)

The G Diminished chord on piano is made of the notes G, B♭ and D♭. Tense and unstable. Often used as a passing chord.

G Diminished chord on a piano keyboard: G, B♭, D♭ C5C6 G B♭ D♭

Gdim G – B♭ – D♭

Tap any key to hear it.

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What notes are in G Diminished?

3 notes, built 1 – ♭3 – ♭5 up from G.

Notes
G – B♭ – D♭
Formula
1 – ♭3 – ♭5
Semitones from the root
0 – 3 – 6
Symbol
Gdim
Chord type
Diminished, 3 notes

How to play G Diminished on piano

  • Right hand: G (1), B♭ (3), D♭ (5). Fingers 1 – 3 – 5, thumb on G.
  • Left hand: G (5), B♭ (3), D♭ (1). Fingers 5 – 3 – 1, little finger on G.

Fingers are numbered 1 (thumb) to 5 (little finger) on both hands.

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G Diminished inversions

Each inversion puts a different note of the chord in the bass. Written as a slash chord: Gdim/B♭, Gdim/D♭.

G Diminished root position on piano: G, B♭, D♭ G B♭ D♭
Root position Gdim G – B♭ – D♭ RH 1 – 3 – 5 · LH 5 – 3 – 1
G Diminished 1st inversion on piano: B♭, D♭, G B♭ D♭ G
1st inversion Gdim/B♭ B♭ – D♭ – G RH 1 – 2 – 5 · LH 5 – 3 – 1
G Diminished 2nd inversion on piano: D♭, G, B♭ D♭ G B♭
2nd inversion Gdim/D♭ D♭ – G – B♭ RH 1 – 3 – 5 · LH 5 – 2 – 1

Progressions with G Diminished

Press play: the chords move across the keyboard as they sound, voiced so your hand barely moves.

Leading-tone resolution

in A♭ major

  1. IV D♭
  2. vii° Gdim
  3. I A♭
Leading-tone resolution in A♭ major: D♭, Gdim, A♭ D♭ F A♭

Minor ii°–V–i

in F minor

  1. ii° Gdim
  2. V C
  3. i Fm
Minor ii°–V–i in F minor: Gdim, C, Fm B♭ D♭ G

Can you find G Diminished?

Tap the notes on the keyboard, then check. Six chords, starting with this one.

1 / 6 Tap the notes of G Diminished (Gdim)

Score 0

Any octave, any order. Each key you tap plays.

Practice keyboard: tap the notes of the chord

What key is G Diminished in?

The keys whose scale contains every note of Gdim, with the chord’s Roman numeral in each.

Major keys

  • A♭ majorvii°

Minor keys

  • F minorii°

G Diminished chord FAQ

What notes are in the G Diminished chord?

G Diminished (Gdim) has 3 notes: G, B♭ and D♭. Its formula is 1 – ♭3 – ♭5, counted up from G.

How do you play G Diminished on the piano?

Put your right thumb on G and play G, B♭ and D♭ with fingers 1 – 3 – 5. With the left hand, use fingers 5 – 3 – 1, little finger on G.

What are the inversions of G Diminished?

1st inversion: B♭, D♭, G (Gdim/B♭). 2nd inversion: D♭, G, B♭ (Gdim/D♭).

What key is G Diminished in?

Gdim belongs to A♭ major (vii°) and F minor (ii°).

Other G chords

Diminished chords on every root

Piano chord chart: all 264 chords Open Gdim in the chord finder Free PDF chord chart Play it on the virtual piano