Bb dim Guitar Chord | Play, Hear and Practice Interactively

Bb dim position 1 guitar chord diagram

To play Bbdim, the Bb diminished chord, you need Bb, Db and Fb, the root, minor third and flat five. In sound, Bbdim matches the vii chord of B major, which that key spells with other letters.

Fb is a theoretical note, which is why the same sound is also written A#dim. Melodies over Bbdim can draw on the Bb Locrian scale, which contains every note of the chord. All 4 voicings are fretted and none rings an open string; one is a barre shape.

Compared with a minor triad only one note changes: the fifth drops by a semitone. Pick a tempo for the drum loop in the player at the top, then play along to keep the chord steady in time.

Bb diminished guitar chord is also written as Bbdim, Bb°, Bbm(b5) or Bbmb5.

Notes of the Bb dim chord:

Bb Db Fb

Chord structure of the Diminished chord:

Formula: 1 b3 b5

Bb Dim Chord Interactive Fretboard

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Bb Dim Guitar Chord Diagrams

Position 1 Movable

Bb dim position 1 guitar chord diagram

Finger Positions

  • Mute the low E string
  • Mute the high E string
  • Place your index finger (1) on the fret 1 of the A string
  • Place your middle finger (2) on the fret 2 of the D string
  • Place your ring finger (3) on the fret 2 of the B string
  • Place your pinky finger (4) on the fret 3 of the G string

Position 2 Movable

Bb dim position 2 guitar chord diagram

Finger Positions

  • Mute the low E string
  • Mute the A string
  • Place your index finger (1) on the fret 5 of the B string
  • Place your middle finger (2) on the fret 6 of the high E string
  • Place your ring finger (3) on the fret 6 of the G string
  • Place your pinky finger (4) on the fret 8 of the D string

Position 3 Barre Movable

Bb dim position 3 guitar chord diagram

Finger Positions

  • Mute the B string
  • Mute the high E string
  • Place your index finger (1) on the fret 6 of the low E and G strings at the same time
  • Place your middle finger (2) on the fret 7 of the A string
  • Place your ring finger (3) on the fret 8 of the D string

Position 4 Movable

Bb dim position 4 guitar chord diagram

Finger Positions

  • Mute the low E string
  • Mute the A string
  • Mute the D string
  • Place your index finger (1) on the fret 5 of the B string
  • Place your middle finger (2) on the fret 6 of the G string
  • Place your ring finger (3) on the fret 6 of the high E string

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Play This Chord With Other Roots

C dim | D dim | E dim | F dim | G dim | A dim | B dim | C#dim | D#dim | F#dim | G#dim | A#dim | Abdim | Bbdim | Dbdim | Ebdim | Gbdim

Giancarlo Facoetti, founder of FaChords Guitar

Created by

Giancarlo Facoetti

Giancarlo is a musician (teaching guitar since 2000), software engineer, AI consultant and published researcher

FAQ

What are the notes of the Bb diminished chord?

Bbdim is spelled Bb, Db and Fb. That is the root, a minor third and a flat fifth. Fb is the same pitch as E, six semitones from Bb.

Why is Bbdim written with Fb instead of E?

Spelling follows letters. The fifth of Bb falls on the letter F, and a flat fifth is lowered to Fb. The pitch sounds like E, but the letter F keeps the chord's structure clear.

Is Bbdim the same as A#dim?

Yes, they use the same pitches. Bbdim is written with flats and A#dim with sharps, A#, C# and E. The sound is identical, only the notation differs.

In which key does Bbdim appear as the vii chord?

The vii chord of B major has the same pitches as Bbdim, though that key writes it as A#dim. It is the diminished triad on the seventh degree.

How many Bbdim voicings are there on guitar?

There are 4 voicings, with 1 using a barre and none using an open string. The lowest is at fret 1 and the highest reaches fret 8.