Guitar chord · Intermediate (barre)
F diminished chord (Fdim) — guitar chord chart
Fdim is a diminished chord built on F. Its notes are F, A♭, C♭. Two stacked minor 3rds make the diminished triad tense and unstable; it usually passes quickly to the next chord.
Fdim 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 Fdim
- Lay your index finger flat across fret 1, from the 6th string to the 3rd string (the barre).
- Middle (2) on the 5th string, fret 2 (B).
- Ring (3) on the 4th string, fret 3 (F).
- Strum from the 6th string down; don’t play strings 2, 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 Edim shape — it sounds as Fdim. Work out other positions with the capo calculator.
Notes in Fdim
| Degree | Note | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | F | root |
| ♭3 | A♭ | minor 3rd |
| ♭5 | C♭ | diminished 5th |
Progressions with Fdim
Drill these changes with the chord-change trainer and read how to change chords faster.
FAQ
- What notes are in the Fdim chord?
- Fdim (F diminished) has 3 notes: F, A♭, C♭.
- Is Fdim hard to play?
- It’s a barre chord, but with a capo on fret 1 you can use the open Edim shape instead. Expect a few weeks of practice for a clean barre.
- What’s the difference between Fdim and F?
- F is F A C. Two stacked minor 3rds make the diminished triad tense and unstable; it usually passes quickly to the next chord.