The G Diminished chord is a three-note chord made up of G, B♭, and D♭. It is built from a root, minor third, and diminished fifth.
Construction
G Diminished = Root + Minor 3rd + Diminished 5th = G · B♭ · D♭
| Note | Interval | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| G | Root | 1 |
| B♭ | Minor 3rd | ♭3 |
| D♭ | Diminished 5th | ♭5 |
G Diminished Inversions
| Position | Notes |
|---|---|
| Root Position | G – B♭ – D♭ |
| 1st Inversion | B♭ – D♭ – G |
| 2nd Inversion | D♭ – G – B♭ |
Key Signature
A Diminished chord is built from symmetrical or ambiguous intervals, so it doesn’t belong to a single key and has no key signature of its own.
How G Diminished functions in a key
The same chord takes on a different harmonic role depending on the key it appears in. Here is where G Diminished sits diatonically across the common keys:
- In A♭ major, G Diminished is the vii° chord — the dominant.
- In F minor, G Diminished is the ii° chord — a predominant.
G Diminished — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the G Diminished chord on piano?
The G Diminished chord contains the notes G – B♭ – D♭. On piano, play these notes together to sound the chord.
What notes are in the G Diminished chord?
The G Diminished chord contains: G (root), Bb (minor third), and Db (diminished fifth). Both intervals are compressed: the minor third is 3 semitones above the root, and the diminished fifth is 6 semitones — a tritone.
How does G Diminished differ from G Minor?
G Minor has a perfect fifth. G Diminished lowers the fifth by one semitone to Db (diminished fifth). That extra compression creates intense harmonic tension — the tritone between root and diminished fifth is the most dissonant interval in Western music.
What is the symbol for the G Diminished?
G Diminished is written as Gdim or G°. The ° or "dim" symbol means both the third and fifth are minor/diminished. Do not confuse with Gdim7 or Gø (half-diminished), which include additional notes.
What are the inversions of G Diminished?
First inversion (G Diminished/Bb): Bb–Db–G. Second inversion (G Diminished/Db): Db–G–Bb. Diminished triads are used in classical music as the vii° chord — the chord one semitone below the tonic, with strong resolution pull.
How is G Diminished used in music?
G Diminished most commonly functions as the vii° chord in a major key, creating strong resolution back to the tonic. It also works as a chromatic passing chord between two nearby chords, and in classical music as a brief point of dissonance. Jazz uses the full four-note dim7 more often than the triad.
What songs use diminished chords?
Michelle (Beatles) uses a diminished chord as a chromatic passing chord. Many classical pieces use vii°–I cadences. Jazz standards use dim7 chords as chromatic passing and approach chords. Diminished harmony also appears in flamenco and film music for dramatic tension.