Ddim7 chord on guitar

Ddim7 is D, F, A♭ and C♭. The easiest shape is x-x-0-1-0-1. Hit Play and watch each string light as it sounds.

x-x-0-1-0-1 · open · easy

Notes: D · F · A♭ · C♭
Formula: 1 · ♭3 · ♭5 · ♭♭7
First shape: x-x-0-1-0-1

How to play Ddim7 on guitar

Shape 1, x-x-0-1-0-1, reading from the low E string on the left:

Put your index finger on the G string at the 1st fret, which is A♭.
Put your middle finger on the high E string at the 1st fret, which is F.
The open D and B strings add D and C♭; don't touch them.
Skip the low E and A strings and begin the strum from the D string.

Arch your fingers so their tips come down vertically. That keeps them off the open strings, which have to ring for the chord to sound complete.
Only four strings sound, so strum from the string marked first and aim your pick at the treble strings.

Other ways to play Ddim7

10-x-9-10-9-x: movable shape at the 9th fret, medium. The root is on the low E string, so you can slide this shape to play any diminished seventh chord.
x-5-6-4-6-x: movable shape at the 4th fret, medium. This is the open Adim7 shape with a barre behind it, root on the 5th string.
x-x-12-13-12-13: movable shape at the 12th fret, medium. Fewer strings, so it sounds lighter and is quicker to change to.

Ddim7 chord changes

The chords Ddim7 usually goes to, and what changes under your fingers.

E♭ (leads up a half step): Ddim7 (x-x-0-1-0-1) to E♭ (x-x-1-3-4-3): the index finger slides across to the D string at the same fret, move the middle finger to the G string, 3rd fret, the ring finger comes down on the high E string, 3rd fret, the pinky finger comes down on the B string, 4th fret. Everything moves: lift the whole hand and place the new shape in one go. E♭ on guitar
E♭m (leads up a half step): Ddim7 (x-x-0-1-0-1) to E♭m (x-x-1-3-4-2): the index finger slides across to the D string at the same fret, the middle finger goes to the high E string, 2nd fret, the ring finger comes down on the G string, 3rd fret, the pinky finger comes down on the B string, 4th fret. Everything moves: lift the whole hand and place the new shape in one go. E♭m on guitar
G (a fifth down): Ddim7 (x-x-0-1-0-1) to G (3-2-0-0-0-3): your index finger lands on the A string, 2nd fret, your middle finger lands on the low E string, 3rd fret, the ring finger comes down on the high E string, 3rd fret. Everything moves: lift the whole hand and place the new shape in one go. D and C♭ carry over from one chord to the other. G on guitar

Ddim7 is a diminished seventh: three minor thirds stacked, so the chord divides the octave into four equal parts. Ddim7 can stand in for a dominant seventh a half step below, which is why it links chords so smoothly. Play it once strummed and once picked to hear the difference.

Getting Ddim7 under your fingers

Before strumming, play x-x-0-1-0-1 note by note: D then A♭ then C♭ then F. A dead note tells you exactly which finger to fix. Next, alternate x-x-0-1-0-1 and 10-x-9-10-9-x, slowly, until the change takes less than a beat.

Where Ddim7 shows up

Ddim7 on piano and ukulele

The same notes on another instrument: Ddim7 on piano and Ddim7 on ukulele. This page puts all three side by side.

Close to Ddim7

Other diminished seventh chords

Ddim7 on guitar: questions

What notes are in Ddim7 on guitar?

D, F, A♭ and C♭. In the x-x-0-1-0-1 shape the strings play D (D string, open), A♭ (G string), C♭ (B string, open) and F (high E string).

What's the easiest way to play Ddim7 on guitar?

x-x-0-1-0-1, the first shape on this page. It uses open strings, so there is no barre to press.

Is Ddim7 a barre chord on guitar?

Not usually: x-x-0-1-0-1 needs no barre.

Which string does Ddim7 start on?

In the x-x-0-1-0-1 shape the lowest string you play is the D string, open, which is D, the root. Skip the low E and A strings.

Every shape above plays only D, F, A♭ and C♭, checked by the site's tests. Updated September 2026.