Which notes are in the D#dim chord?

D#dim contains the notes D#, F# and A. Relative to the root these are the degrees 1 – ♭3 – ♭5.

How many ways can you play D#dim?

Minory lists a single guitar fingering for D#dim, and it is a barre shape.

Is the D#dim chord hard to play?

D#dim requires a barre, so it can feel demanding at first. Keeping the index finger straight and pressing from the wrist rather than the thumb makes it noticeably easier.

Are D#dim and Ebdim the same chord?

Yes. D#dim and Ebdim are enharmonically identical — the spelling differs but the frets and keys are the same. Which name is used depends on the key of the piece.

D# diminished · Guitar

D#dim Chord on Guitar

The D#dim chord (D# diminished) is built from the notes D#, F# and A. The guitar fingering for it is shown below. The same chord is also written Ebdim; both spellings sound identical.

Chord diagrams

D#dimbarre shape · starts at fret 2

Fingering

string 6 (E): muted
string 5 (A): muted
string 4 (D): fret 4 — ring finger
string 3 (G): fret 2 — index finger
string 2 (B): fret 4 — little finger
string 1 (E): fret 2 — index finger

Notes in this chord

D♯
F♯
A

Degrees: 1 – ♭3 – ♭5

Also written: Ebdim

How to play

Every guitar shape for D#dim needs a barre, and the lowest one starts at fret 2. Keep the index finger straight and as close to the fret wire as possible, and let the wrist rather than the thumb supply the pressure.

Theory behind the chord

Diminished triads stack two minor thirds, so both the third and the fifth are lowered. The result is unstable and restless, and it usually appears as a passing chord between two stable ones. On D#dim this structure sits on the root D#, so the degrees 1 – ♭3 – ♭5 map onto D#, F# and A.

Frequently asked questions

Which notes are in the D#dim chord?: D#dim contains the notes D#, F# and A. Relative to the root these are the degrees 1 – ♭3 – ♭5.
How many ways can you play D#dim?: Minory lists a single guitar fingering for D#dim, and it is a barre shape.
Is the D#dim chord hard to play?: D#dim requires a barre, so it can feel demanding at first. Keeping the index finger straight and pressing from the wrist rather than the thumb makes it noticeably easier.
Are D#dim and Ebdim the same chord?: Yes. D#dim and Ebdim are enharmonically identical — the spelling differs but the frets and keys are the same. Which name is used depends on the key of the piece.

Practise D#dim on your phone

Minory bundles the full chord library with a tuner, metronome and repertoire notebook — and it all works offline.