Julie Swihart

Diminished Chords

Let’s look at how to play a Gdim (G diminished) chord on the piano. We’ll also learn the pattern for building any diminished chord.

What Are Diminished Chords?

Diminished chords are minor chords with the upper-note lowered 1/2 step.

To build a diminished chord, we’ll start by building a minor chord. Minor chords are built using the first, third and fifth notes of the matching minor scale. Or we could take the matching major chord and lower the middle note 1/2 step.

Then to convert the minor chord into a diminished chord, we’ll take the upper-note and lower it 1/2 step.

Chord Types Printable

Learn to play 17 types of piano chords using 12 different root notes with this 34-page PDF! Chords are sorted both by their root note (C, D, E, etc.) and type (major, minor, augmented, diminished, etc.).

Get the Printable

How to Play a Gdim Chord

So to play a Gdim chord on the piano, we’ll start by building a G minor chord using the first, third and fifth notes of a G minor scale: G – B♭ – D. Then we’ll take the upper-note D and lower it 1/2 step to D♭ to diminish the chord.

So to play a Gdim chord, we’ll play:

G – B♭ – D♭

You can use this pattern to build any diminished chord. First build a minor chord, then lower the upper-note 1/2 step.

Other Chord Types

Here are some other chord types you can learn:

Major
Minor
Augmented
Second
Minor second
Fifth
Suspended
Sixth
Minor sixth
Seventh
Minor seventh
Major seventh
Ninth
Minor ninth
Major ninth

Conclusion

Now you know how to play a Gdim chord, and you can use this pattern to build any diminished chord!

Diminished chords aren’t as common as minor chords, but it’s helpful to know how to build them when you need them. Piano chords provide so much room for creativity and personal expression at the piano!