G♯dim7 chord on guitar

G♯dim7 is G♯, B, D and F. The usual shape is 4-2-0-1-0-1. Hit Play and watch each string light as it sounds.

4-2-0-1-0-1 · open · medium

Notes: G♯ · B · D · F
Formula: 1 · ♭3 · ♭5 · ♭♭7
First shape: 4-2-0-1-0-1

How to play G♯dim7 on guitar

Shape 1, 4-2-0-1-0-1, 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 high E string at the 1st fret, which is F.
Put your ring finger on the A string at the 2nd fret, which is B.
Put your pinky finger on the low 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♯dim7

4-x-3-4-3-x: movable shape at the 3rd fret, medium. Built on the Edim7 open shape with the barre as a movable nut; the root is on the 6th string.
x-11-12-10-12-x: movable shape at the 10th fret, medium. Root on the 5th string, so it pairs well with the 6th-string shape a few frets away.
x-x-6-7-6-7: movable shape at the 6th fret, medium. Only the thinner strings sound, which cuts through a band without getting muddy.

G♯dim7 chord changes

These are the changes you'll meet most often with G♯dim7, using the first shape of each chord.

A (leads up a half step): G♯dim7 (4-2-0-1-0-1) to A (x-0-2-2-2-0): your index finger lands on the D string, 2nd fret, move the middle finger to the G string, 2nd fret, your ring finger lands on the B string, 2nd fret. Everything moves: lift the whole hand and place the new shape in one go. A on guitar
Am (leads up a half step): G♯dim7 (4-2-0-1-0-1) to Am (x-0-2-2-1-0): the index finger slides across to the B string at the same fret, the middle finger goes to the D string, 2nd fret, your ring finger lands on the G string, 2nd fret. No finger can stay, so practice lifting all of them together and landing the new shape as a unit. Am on guitar
C♯ (a fifth down): G♯dim7 (4-2-0-1-0-1) to C♯ (x-4-6-6-6-4): the index finger lays across the A to high E strings at the 4th fret, move the middle finger to the D string, 6th fret, your ring finger lands on the G string, 6th fret. Everything moves: lift the whole hand and place the new shape in one go. Shared notes: G♯ and F. C♯ on guitar

G♯dim7 is a diminished seventh: three minor thirds stacked, so the chord divides the octave into four equal parts. G♯dim7 can stand in for a dominant seventh a half step below, which is why it links chords so smoothly. The slow arpeggio button above makes that quality easy to hear.

Practice G♯dim7 in two minutes

Arpeggiate 4-2-0-1-0-1 from the lowest string: G♯, B, D, G♯, B, F. Then strum it and listen for the same 6 notes together. Finish by moving between 4-2-0-1-0-1 and 4-x-3-4-3-x to learn two positions of the same chord.

You may also see it as A♭dim7; nothing changes on the guitar.

Keys and progressions with G♯dim7

G♯dim7 on piano and ukulele

Switching instruments? Try G♯dim7 on ukulele or G♯dim7 on piano, or compare them on the G♯dim7 chord page.

Next to try on guitar

Other diminished seventh chords

G♯dim7 on guitar: questions

What notes are in G♯dim7 on guitar?

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

What's the easiest way to play G♯dim7 on guitar?

G♯dim7 takes a little stretching on guitar; start with 4-2-0-1-0-1. It uses 4 fingers and no barre, with open strings, and a capo can make it easier in some songs.

Is G♯dim7 a barre chord on guitar?

Not in its common form: 4-2-0-1-0-1 needs no barre.

Which string does G♯dim7 start on?

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

Checked automatically: no shape here plays a note outside G♯dim7. Updated September 2026.