G♯ diminished chord on guitar (G♯dim)

G♯dim is G♯, B and D. The usual shape is 4-2-0-1-0-4. Press Play to hear it, then try it at half speed.

4-2-0-1-0-4 · open · medium

Notes: G♯ · B · D
Formula: 1 · ♭3 · ♭5
First shape: 4-2-0-1-0-4

How to play G♯dim on guitar

Shape 1, 4-2-0-1-0-4, reading from the low E string on the left:

Put your index finger on the G string at the 1st fret, which is G♯.
Put your middle finger on the A string at the 2nd fret, which is B.
Put your ring finger on the low E string at the 4th fret, which is G♯.
Put your pinky finger on the high E string at the 4th fret, which is G♯.
The open D and B strings add D and B; don't touch them.

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.
Your little finger has a job in this shape; it gets stronger in a week or two of short daily practice.
This one reaches. Let the thumb slide lower on the neck and the stretch gets noticeably easier.

Other ways to play G♯dim

x-11-12-13-12-x: movable shape at the 11th fret, medium. This is the open Adim shape with a barre behind it, root on the 5th string.
x-x-6-7-9-7: movable shape at the 6th fret, medium. Only the thinner strings sound, which cuts through a band without getting muddy.

Moving between G♯dim and its neighbours

The chords G♯dim usually goes to, and what changes under your fingers.

A (leads up a half step): G♯dim (4-2-0-1-0-4) to A (x-0-2-2-2-0): move the index finger to the D string, 2nd fret, your middle finger lands on the G string, 2nd fret, the ring finger goes to the B string, 2nd fret. No finger can stay, so practice lifting all of them together and landing the new shape as a unit. A on guitar
Am (leads up a half step): G♯dim (4-2-0-1-0-4) to Am (x-0-2-2-1-0): the index finger slides across to the B string at the same fret, the middle finger slides across to the D string at the same fret, move the ring finger to the G string, 2nd fret. Nothing carries over, so drill it slowly, lifting and landing all fingers at once. Am on guitar
C♯m (iii in A major): G♯dim (4-2-0-1-0-4) to C♯m (x-4-6-6-5-4): the index finger lays across the A to high E strings at the 4th fret, your middle finger lands on the B string, 5th fret, move the ring finger to the D string, 6th fret. Everything moves: lift the whole hand and place the new shape in one go. Listen for G♯, which stays put while the rest moves. C♯m on guitar

G♯dim is a diminished triad: two minor thirds stacked. G♯dim rarely stays long; it's a passing chord that usually climbs a half step to the next chord. On guitar you hear it best picked slowly, string by string.

Getting G♯dim under your fingers

Pick shape 1 one string at a time, low to high: G♯, B, D, G♯, B, G♯. Every note should ring clearly; if one thuds, adjust that finger before you strum. Then switch to x-11-12-13-12-x and back four times without looking at your hand.

A♭dim is another spelling of G♯dim. Same shape, same sound.

G♯dim in context

G♯dim on piano and ukulele

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

Close to G♯dim

Other diminished chords

G♯dim on guitar: questions

What notes are in G♯dim on guitar?

G♯, B and D. In the 4-2-0-1-0-4 shape the strings play G♯ (low E string), B (A string), D (D string, open), G♯ (G string), B (B string, open) and G♯ (high E string), so G♯ and B are doubled.

What's the easiest way to play G♯dim on guitar?

None of the G♯dim shapes is a true beginner shape, but 4-2-0-1-0-4 comes closest. It uses 4 fingers and no barre, with open strings, and in many songs a capo can take over part of the work.

Is G♯dim a barre chord on guitar?

Not usually: 4-2-0-1-0-4 needs no barre.

Which string does G♯dim start on?

In the 4-2-0-1-0-4 shape the lowest string you play is the low E string at the 4th fret, which is G♯, the root.

Shapes and sound are generated from the notes G♯, B and D and tested automatically. Updated September 2026.