A diminished 7th · Guitar
Adim7 Chord on Guitar
The Adim7 chord (A diminished 7th) is built from the notes A, C, D# and F#. The guitar fingering for it is shown below.
Chord diagrams
Fingering
- string 6 (E): muted
- string 5 (A): played open
- string 4 (D): fret 1 — index finger
- string 3 (G): fret 2 — middle finger
- string 2 (B): fret 1 — ring finger
- string 1 (E): fret 2 — little finger
Notes in this chord
- A
- C
- D♯
- F♯
Degrees: 1 – ♭3 – ♭5 – ♭♭7
How to play
Adim7 can be played with open strings on guitar, which makes it an accessible shape for beginners. Strings marked ○ ring open, while strings marked ✕ are muted.
Theory behind the chord
Diminished seventh chords divide the octave into four equal minor thirds. Every inversion sounds the same, so a single shape can be slid up the neck to lead into several different keys. On Adim7 this structure sits on the root A, so the degrees 1 – ♭3 – ♭5 – ♭♭7 map onto A, C, D# and F#.
Frequently asked questions
- Which notes are in the Adim7 chord?
- Adim7 contains the notes A, C, D# and F#. Relative to the root these are the degrees 1 – ♭3 – ♭5 – ♭♭7.
- How many ways can you play Adim7?
- Minory lists a single guitar fingering for Adim7.
- Is the Adim7 chord hard to play?
- Not really. The open position of Adim7 uses open strings and needs no barre, which makes it approachable for beginners.
Practise Adim7 on your phone
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