E♭ diminished (E♭dim) chord on banjo

The E♭ diminished chord (E♭dim) is a diminished triad (two minor thirds), made of three notes: E♭ – G♭ – B𝄫. The same chord with a different spelling: D♯ diminished (D♯dim).

Dots show:

Basic shapemedium

Position 7medium

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What the E♭dim chord sounds like

A diminished triad is two stacked minor thirds with a diminished fifth. It sounds tense and unsettled; in a major key it sits on degree vii and leads into the tonic.

Notes of the E♭dim chord

Degree	Note	Interval from the root
1	E♭	root
3	G♭	minor third (3 semitones)
5	B𝄫	diminished fifth (6 semitones)

How to play it – with fingering

Basic shape

String 1 (D): fret 4, little finger (G♭4)
String 2 (B): fret 4, little finger (E♭4)
String 3 (G): fret 2, index finger (B𝄫3)
String 4 (D): fret 4, ring finger (G♭3)

Position 7

String 1 (D): fret 7, ring finger (B𝄫4)
String 2 (B): fret 7, middle finger (G♭4)
String 3 (G): fret 8, little finger (E♭4)
String 4 (D): fret 7, index finger (B𝄫3)

Five-string banjo in open G tuning (g D G B D). The diagram shows the four long strings; the short 5th string (g) rings open – avoid it when G is not in the chord. In the diagram, × means the string is not played, and a circle means an open string.

Similar chords and substitutes

If E♭dim is too hard, or you want a different colour in the same spot, these chords are worth a try.

Substitutes (by function)

B7 – an incomplete dominant: the diminished chord is the top of this seventh chord
E – where it leads (leading tone → root)

Richer versions

E♭dim7 – the same chord plus 1 colour note
E♭m7b5 – the same chord plus 1 colour note

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the E♭dim chord?

E♭, G♭, B𝄫. The root is E♭; the intervals of the other notes from the root: minor third, diminished fifth.

What is the easiest way to play E♭dim on banjo?

The easiest shape above is “Basic shape”. We show 2 shapes, from open and easy versions to movable barre shapes higher up the neck.

How do I read the chord diagram?

Strings run from the lowest (left) to the highest (right) – tick “Left-handed” to mirror it. Rows are frets; a number at the side shows the starting fret. Dots are fingers (1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little), a long bar is a barre, × means don't play that string and ○ means play it open.

How is the E♭dim chord written?

The chord symbol is E♭dim (also written Ebdim), and its full name is E♭ diminished.