G♯ diminished chord on piano (G♯dim)
G♯dim is G♯, B and D. G♯ is the middle black key of the three. Tap Play, then slow it down.
root position · G♯–B–D · right hand 1-3-5
- Notes
- G♯ · B · D
- Formula
- 1 · ♭3 · ♭5
How to play G♯dim on piano
Count keys (black and white) from G♯: 3 half steps up to B then 3 half steps up to D. That's the whole chord: 3 keys.
- Right hand: 1 on G♯, 3 on B and 5 on D.
- Left hand: 5 on G♯, 3 on B and 1 on D.
- On the keyboard it's black, white and white keys, the same pattern as C♯dim and F♯dim, so your hand shape carries over.
G♯dim inversions
- root position: G♯–B–D. Right hand 1-3-5.
- 1st inversion: B–D–G♯ (B in the bass). Fingers 1-2-5.
- 2nd inversion: D–G♯–B (D in the bass). RH 1-3-5.
Use the inversions to stay put: the next chord is often one inversion away from where your hand already is, as the changes below show.
G♯dim chord changes
The chords G♯dim usually goes to, and what changes under your fingers.
- A (leads up a half step): G♯dim to A: play A in root position (A–C♯–E), while G♯ moves up to A, B up to C♯ and D up to E. A on piano
- Am (leads up a half step): G♯dim to Am: play Am in root position (A–C–E), while G♯ moves up to A, B up to C and D up to E. Am on piano
- C♯m (iii in A major): G♯dim to C♯m: play C♯m in 2nd inversion (G♯–C♯–E) and G♯ stays under the same finger, while B moves up to C♯ and D up to E. C♯m on piano
G♯dim is a diminished triad: two minor thirds stacked. G♯dim rarely stays long; it's a passing chord that usually climbs a half step to the next chord. On piano you hear it best with the keys pressed together, then rolled.
Practice G♯dim in two minutes
Play G♯dim broken, one key at a time: G♯, B, D, B, G♯. Then press the keys together and check that all 3 sound at the same volume. Next, walk up through G♯–B–D → B–D–G♯ → D–G♯–B without lifting your eyes to your hand.
The keys of G♯dim
G♯dim is a diminished chord, 1–♭3–♭5 from G♯. Root position, from the bottom: how G♯dim is built.
| Note | Key | Fingers | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| G♯ | black key | RH 1 · LH 5 | root |
| B | white key | RH 3 · LH 3 | minor third |
| D | white key | RH 5 · LH 1 | diminished fifth |
Written A♭dim, it's the same chord with the same keys.
Keys and progressions with G♯dim
G♯dim on guitar and ukulele
The same notes on another instrument: G♯dim on guitar and G♯dim on ukulele. This page puts all three side by side.
Related G♯ chords on piano
Other diminished chords
G♯dim on piano: questions
What notes are in G♯dim on piano?
G♯, B and D: G♯ (black key), B (white key) and D (white key). Right hand 1-3-5, left hand 5-3-1.
How do you play G♯dim on piano?
Press G♯, B and D together (1 black, 2 white). Right hand: 1 on G♯, 3 on B and 5 on D.
What are the inversions of G♯dim?
1st inversion (B–D–G♯) and 2nd inversion (D–G♯–B), after root position (G♯–B–D). Only the lowest note changes.
What does G♯dim look like on the keyboard?
black, white and white keys, the same pattern as C♯dim and F♯dim, so one hand shape covers all of them.
Checked automatically: no shape here plays a note outside G♯dim. Updated September 2026.