B diminished chord on guitar (Bdim)

Bdim is B, D and F. The usual shape is x-2-3-4-3-x. Play it once at full speed, then at a quarter to hear every note.

x-2-3-4-3-x · movable · medium

Notes: B · D · F
Formula: 1 · ♭3 · ♭5
First shape: x-2-3-4-3-x

How to play Bdim on guitar

Shape 1, x-2-3-4-3-x, reading from the low E string on the left, starts at the 2nd fret:

B: index finger, 2nd fret of the A string.
F: middle finger, 3rd fret of the D string.
D: ring finger, 3rd fret of the B string.
B: pinky finger, 4th fret of the G string.
The low E and high E strings must not sound: rest a finger against them.

Your little finger has a job in this shape; it gets stronger in a week or two of short daily practice.
Only four strings sound, so strum from the string marked first and aim your pick at the treble strings.

Other ways to play Bdim

x-x-9-7-6-7: movable shape at the 6th fret, medium. Only the thinner strings sound, which cuts through a band without getting muddy.
x-x-9-10-12-10: movable shape at the 9th fret, medium. Fewer strings, so it sounds lighter and is quicker to change to.
x-14-12-x-12-13: movable shape at the 12th fret, medium. A small shape for quick changes and a lighter sound.

Bdim chord changes

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

C (leads up a half step): Bdim (x-2-3-4-3-x) to C (x-3-2-0-1-0): the index finger goes to the B string, 1st fret, move the middle finger to the D string, 2nd fret, your ring finger lands on the A string, 3rd fret. Everything moves: lift the whole hand and place the new shape in one go. C on guitar
Cm (leads up a half step): Bdim (x-2-3-4-3-x) to Cm (x-3-1-0-1-3): your index finger lands on the D string, 1st fret, the middle finger goes to the B string, 1st fret, move the ring finger to the A string, 3rd fret. Nothing carries over, so drill it slowly, lifting and landing all fingers at once. Cm on guitar
Em (iii in C major): Bdim (x-2-3-4-3-x) to Em (0-2-2-0-0-0): your index finger stays put, move the middle finger to the D string, 2nd fret. That makes it one of the quickest changes from this chord. The two chords share B, which is why the change sounds smooth. Em on guitar

Bdim is a diminished triad: two minor thirds stacked. Bdim 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 Bdim under your fingers

Before strumming, play x-2-3-4-3-x note by note: B then F then B then D. A dead note tells you exactly which finger to fix. Then switch to x-x-9-7-6-7 and back four times without looking at your hand.

Where Bdim shows up

Bdim on piano and ukulele

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

Close to Bdim

Other diminished chords

Bdim on guitar: questions

What notes are in Bdim on guitar?

B, D and F. In the x-2-3-4-3-x shape the strings play B (A string), F (D string), B (G string) and D (B string), so B is doubled.

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

Bdim has no open-string shape in standard tuning, so every version needs a barre or a stretch. Start with x-2-3-4-3-x. It uses 4 fingers and no barre, and in many songs a capo can take over part of the work.

Is Bdim a barre chord on guitar?

Not the usual shape: x-2-3-4-3-x needs no barre.

Which string does Bdim start on?

In the x-2-3-4-3-x shape the lowest string you play is the A string at the 2nd fret, which is B, the root. Skip the low E and high E strings.

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