Guitar chord · Beginner
A diminished chord (Adim) — guitar chord chart
Adim is a diminished chord built on A. Its notes are A, C, E♭. Two stacked minor 3rds make the diminished triad tense and unstable; it usually passes quickly to the next chord.
Adim chord charts
Numbers = fingers (1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little). ○ open string, × don’t play. Low E string on the left.
How to play Adim
- Index (1) on the 4th string, fret 1 (E♭).
- Ring (3) on the 3rd string, fret 2 (A).
- Middle (2) on the 2nd string, fret 1 (C).
- Let string 5 ring open.
- Strum from the 5th string down; don’t play strings 6, 1.
- Pick the strings one at a time: each note should ring clearly — if one buzzes, move that finger closer to the fret.
Once the open shape is comfortable, try the barre version at fret 5: same chord, higher voice, and a shape you can move all over the neck.
Notes in Adim
| Degree | Note | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | root |
| ♭3 | C | minor 3rd |
| ♭5 | E♭ | diminished 5th |
Progressions with Adim
Drill these changes with the chord-change trainer and read how to change chords faster.
FAQ
- What notes are in the Adim chord?
- Adim (A diminished) has 3 notes: A, C, E♭.
- Is Adim hard to play?
- No — the open-position shape needs no barre, so it’s a good beginner chord.
- What’s the difference between Adim and A?
- A is A C♯ E. Two stacked minor 3rds make the diminished triad tense and unstable; it usually passes quickly to the next chord.