Guitar chord · Intermediate (barre)
E flat diminished chord (E♭dim) — guitar chord chart
E♭dim is a diminished chord built on E♭. Its notes are E♭, G♭, B𝄫. Two stacked minor 3rds make the diminished triad tense and unstable; it usually passes quickly to the next chord. It’s also written D♯dim.
E♭dim 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 E♭dim
- Index (1) on the 5th string, fret 6 (E♭).
- Middle (2) on the 4th string, fret 7 (A).
- Little finger (4) on the 3rd string, fret 8 (E♭).
- Ring (3) on the 2nd string, fret 7 (F♯).
- 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.
No barre yet? Put a capo on fret 1 and play the open Ddim shape — it sounds as E♭dim. Work out other positions with the capo calculator.
Notes in E♭dim
| Degree | Note | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | E♭ | root |
| ♭3 | G♭ | minor 3rd |
| ♭5 | B𝄫 | diminished 5th |
Progressions with E♭dim
Drill these changes with the chord-change trainer and read how to change chords faster.
FAQ
- What notes are in the E♭dim chord?
- E♭dim (E flat diminished) has 3 notes: E♭, G♭, B𝄫.
- Is E♭dim hard to play?
- It’s a barre chord, but with a capo on fret 1 you can use the open Ddim shape instead. Expect a few weeks of practice for a clean barre.
- What’s the difference between E♭dim and E♭?
- E♭ is E♭ G B♭. Two stacked minor 3rds make the diminished triad tense and unstable; it usually passes quickly to the next chord.
- Is E♭dim the same as D♯dim?
- Yes — they sound the same (enharmonic equivalents). Which name is used depends on the key of the song; the fingerings are identical.