E diminished chord on guitar (Edim)

Edim is E, G and B♭. The usual shape is 0-1-2-0-x-0. Tap Play, then slow it down.

0-1-2-0-x-0 · open · medium

Notes: E · G · B♭
Formula: 1 · ♭3 · ♭5
First shape: 0-1-2-0-x-0

How to play Edim on guitar

Shape 1, 0-1-2-0-x-0, reading from the low E string on the left:

Put your index finger on the A string at the 1st fret, which is B♭.
Put your middle finger on the D string at the 2nd fret, which is E.
The open low E, G and high E strings add E, G and E; don't touch them.
Mute the B string with the side of a finger so it doesn't ring.

If an open string sounds dead, a fingertip is leaning on it. Come down more on the tips, with your knuckles bent.

Other ways to play Edim

x-7-8-9-8-x: movable shape at the 7th fret, medium. Root on the 5th string, so it pairs well with the 6th-string shape a few frets away.
x-x-14-12-11-12: movable shape at the 11th fret, medium. A small shape for quick changes and a lighter sound.

Edim chord changes

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

F (leads up a half step): Edim (0-1-2-0-x-0) to F (1-3-3-2-1-1): the index finger lays across the low E to high E strings at the 1st fret, the middle finger slides across to the G string at the same fret, the ring finger comes down on the A string, 3rd fret, the pinky finger comes down on the D string, 3rd fret. Everything moves: lift the whole hand and place the new shape in one go. F on guitar
Fm (leads up a half step): Edim (0-1-2-0-x-0) to Fm (1-3-3-1-1-1): the index finger lays across the low E to high E strings at the 1st fret, the middle finger goes to the A string, 3rd fret, the ring finger comes down on the D string, 3rd fret. Nothing carries over, so drill it slowly, lifting and landing all fingers at once. Fm on guitar
Am (iii in F major): Edim (0-1-2-0-x-0) to Am (x-0-2-2-1-0): your middle finger stays put, move the index finger to the B string, 1st fret, the ring finger comes down on the G string, 2nd fret. E carries over from one chord to the other. Am on guitar

Edim is a diminished triad: two minor thirds stacked. Edim rarely stays long; it's a passing chord that usually climbs a half step to the next chord. Play it once strummed and once picked to hear the difference.

Getting Edim under your fingers

Arpeggiate 0-1-2-0-x-0 from the lowest string: E, B♭, E, G, E. Then strum it and listen for the same 5 notes together. Then switch to x-7-8-9-8-x and back four times without looking at your hand.

Keys and progressions with Edim

Edim on piano and ukulele

Edim on piano and ukulele uses the same 3 notes in a different layout. See all three together.

Close to Edim

Other diminished chords

Edim on guitar: questions

What notes are in Edim on guitar?

E, G and B♭. In the 0-1-2-0-x-0 shape the strings play E (low E string, open), B♭ (A string), E (D string), G (G string, open) and E (high E string, open), so E are doubled.

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

None of the Edim shapes is a true beginner shape, but 0-1-2-0-x-0 comes closest. It uses 2 fingers and no barre, with open strings, and in many songs a capo can take over part of the work.

Is Edim a barre chord on guitar?

Not usually: 0-1-2-0-x-0 needs no barre.

Which string does Edim start on?

In the 0-1-2-0-x-0 shape the lowest string you play is the low E string, open, which is E, the root.

Every shape above plays only E, G and B♭, checked by the site's tests. Updated September 2026.