Ddim7 chord
Ddim7 is D, F, A♭ and C♭: 1–♭3–♭5–♭♭7 built on D. See and hear it on all three instruments below.
On guitar
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
Ddim7 on guitar: every shape, finger by finger
On piano
root position · D–F–A♭–C♭ · right hand 1-2-3-5
- Notes
- D · F · A♭ · C♭
- Formula
- 1 · ♭3 · ♭5 · ♭♭7
Ddim7 on piano: fingering and inversions
On ukulele
1-2-1-2 · movable · medium
- Notes
- D · F · A♭ · C♭
- Formula
- 1 · ♭3 · ♭5 · ♭♭7
- First shape
- 1-2-1-2
Where Ddim7 usually goes next
Here's what the hand does on the most common changes, on guitar and on piano.
- Ddim7 → E♭ (leads up a half step)
Guitar: 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.
Piano: Ddim7 to E♭: play E♭ in root position (E♭–G–B♭), while D moves up to E♭, A♭ down to G and C♭ down to B♭. E♭ - Ddim7 → E♭m (leads up a half step)
Guitar: 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.
Piano: Ddim7 to E♭m: play E♭m in root position (E♭–G♭–B♭), while D moves up to E♭, F up to G♭ and C♭ down to B♭. E♭m - Ddim7 → G (a fifth down)
Guitar: 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.
Piano: Ddim7 to G: play G in 2nd inversion (D–G–B) and D and B stay under the same fingers, while A♭ moves down to G. G
How Ddim7 is built
Ddim7 is a diminished seventh: three minor thirds stacked, so the chord divides the octave into four equal parts. That symmetry means Ddim7 contains exactly the same four notes as Fdim7, G♯dim7 and Bdim7; which name you use depends on the bass note and the key.
Start on D, count 3 half steps up to F, 3 half steps up to A♭ then 3 half steps up to C♭.
| Note | Role | Half steps | Hear it |
|---|---|---|---|
| D | root | 0 | |
| F | minor third | 3 | |
| A♭ | diminished fifth | 6 | |
| C♭ | diminished seventh | 9 |
Keys and progressions with Ddim7
Ddim7 isn't a chord of any major or natural minor key, so it usually appears as a passing or borrowed chord.
Chords close to Ddim7
- Ddim7 is Ddim plus C♭. Ddim
Chords that share most of their notes with Ddim7: Fdim7, G♯dim7, Bdim7, Ddim, Fdim, G♯dim.
Every D chord
Ddim7 chord: questions
What notes are in the Ddim7 chord?
D, F, A♭ and C♭. Ddim7 is built 1–♭3–♭5–♭♭7 from D: F is the minor third, A♭ is the diminished fifth and C♭ is the diminished seventh.
How do you play Ddim7 on guitar?
The usual shape is x-x-0-1-0-1 (open). All 4 guitar shapes.
How do you play Ddim7 on piano?
Play D, F, A♭ and C♭ with right-hand fingers 1-2-3-5. D sits between the two black keys. Inversions and left hand.
How do you play Ddim7 on ukulele?
1-2-1-2 in standard GCEA tuning. More ukulele shapes.
What key is Ddim7 in?
Ddim7 isn't a chord of any major or natural minor key, so it usually appears as a passing or borrowed chord.
What's the difference between Ddim7 and Ddim?
Ddim7 is Ddim plus C♭.
Diagrams and sound come from the same data, tested so they match. Updated September 2026.