G♯ diminished chord on ukulele (G♯dim)

G♯dim is G♯, B and D. The usual shape is 4-2-4-2. Hit Play and watch each string light as it sounds.

4-2-4-2 · movable · medium

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

How to play G♯dim on ukulele

Shape 1, 4-2-4-2, reading from the G string on the left, starts at the 2nd fret:

D: index finger, 2nd fret of the C string.
B: middle finger, 2nd fret of the A string.
B: ring finger, 4th fret of the G string.
G♯: pinky finger, 4th fret of the E string.

The pinky takes a note here. Keep it curved and close to the fretboard between chords so it has less distance to travel.
On ukulele you strum all four strings. The top G string is tuned higher than the C, which is why ukulele chords sound bright and close.

Other ways to play G♯dim

7-8-7-5: movable shape at the 5th fret, medium. Same notes, stacked differently, so it sounds a little different.

G♯dim chord changes

These are the changes you'll meet most often with G♯dim, using the first shape of each chord.

A (leads up a half step): G♯dim (4-2-4-2) to A (2-1-0-0): move the index finger to the C string, 1st fret, your middle finger lands on the G string, 2nd fret. A on ukulele
Am (leads up a half step): G♯dim (4-2-4-2) to Am (2-0-0-0): the index finger slides across to the G string at the same fret. Am on ukulele
C♯m (iii in A major): G♯dim (4-2-4-2) to C♯m (6-4-4-4): the index finger goes to the C string, 4th fret, your middle finger lands on the E string, 4th fret, move the ring finger to the A string, 4th fret. No finger can stay, so practice lifting all of them together and landing the new shape as a unit. The two chords share G♯, which is why the change sounds smooth. C♯m on ukulele

G♯dim is a diminished triad: two minor thirds stacked. All 3 notes of G♯dim fit on the ukulele's four strings, with one of them doubled. On ukulele you hear it best picked slowly, string by string.

Getting G♯dim under your fingers

Before strumming, play 4-2-4-2 note by note: B then D then G♯ then B. A dead note tells you exactly which finger to fix. Next, alternate 4-2-4-2 and 7-8-7-5, slowly, until the change takes less than a beat.

You may also see it as A♭dim; nothing changes on the ukulele.

Keys and progressions with G♯dim

G♯dim on guitar and piano

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

Next to try on ukulele

Other diminished chords

G♯dim on ukulele: questions

What notes are in G♯dim on ukulele?

G♯, B and D. In the 4-2-4-2 shape the strings play B (G string), D (C string), G♯ (E string) and B (A string), so B is doubled.

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

In standard tuning G♯dim can't use open strings. Begin with 4-2-4-2. It uses 4 fingers and no barre, and a capo can make it easier in some songs.

Is G♯dim a barre chord on ukulele?

Not in its common form: 4-2-4-2 needs no barre.

Which string does G♯dim start on?

In the 4-2-4-2 shape the lowest string you play is the G string at the 4th fret, which is B, the minor third.

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